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The Missing
An ordinary outing takes Greta, Alex, and four-year-old Smilla across Sweden’s mythical Lake Malice to a tiny, isolated island. While father and daughter tramp into the trees, Greta stays behind in the boat, lulled into a reverie by the misty, moody lake…only later to discover that the two haven’t returned. Her frantic search proves futile. They’ve disappeared without a trace.
Greta struggles to understand their eerie vanishing. She desperately needs to call Alex, to be reassured that Smilla is safe, or contact the police. But now her cell phone is missing too. Back at her cottage, she finds it hidden away under the bedsheets. Had she done that? Or had someone else been in the cottage? But who, and why? As Greta struggles to put the pieces together, she fears that her past has come back to torment her, or she’s finally lost her grip on reality�
In this dark psychological thrill ride—with more twists than a labyrinth and more breathless moments than a roller coaster—Greta must confront what she’s always kept hidden if she has any hope of untangling the truth.
Greta struggles to understand their eerie vanishing. She desperately needs to call Alex, to be reassured that Smilla is safe, or contact the police. But now her cell phone is missing too. Back at her cottage, she finds it hidden away under the bedsheets. Had she done that? Or had someone else been in the cottage? But who, and why? As Greta struggles to put the pieces together, she fears that her past has come back to torment her, or she’s finally lost her grip on reality�
In this dark psychological thrill ride—with more twists than a labyrinth and more breathless moments than a roller coaster—Greta must confront what she’s always kept hidden if she has any hope of untangling the truth.
220 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2015
1,888 people are currently reading
6,432 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Eriksson
11books116followersCaroline Eriksson holds a master’s degree in social psychology and worked for more than ten years in human-resource management before deciding to pursue writing, her childhood dream. Her first two novels are based on historical Swedish murder cases, and her debut, The Devil Helped Me, was nominated for Stora Ljudbokspriset (the Big Audiobook Prize) in 2014.
Caroline has lived all over the world. She attended high school in Quantico, Virginia; studied at the University of Adelaide in Australia; and now lives in Stockholm. She denies being a daredevil but admits that she once threw herself off a mountain in New Zealand in a hang-gliding experiment.
Her greatest adventure today is raising her two children, and she satisfies any residual wanderlust by exploring the most terrifying parts of life—its dark psychological elements—in her writing.
The Missing is Caroline’s first psychological suspense thriller and her first book translated into English. She’s already hard at work on her next novel.
Caroline has lived all over the world. She attended high school in Quantico, Virginia; studied at the University of Adelaide in Australia; and now lives in Stockholm. She denies being a daredevil but admits that she once threw herself off a mountain in New Zealand in a hang-gliding experiment.
Her greatest adventure today is raising her two children, and she satisfies any residual wanderlust by exploring the most terrifying parts of life—its dark psychological elements—in her writing.
The Missing is Caroline’s first psychological suspense thriller and her first book translated into English. She’s already hard at work on her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 750 reviews
March 4, 2016
Three stars for an exceptional beginning that grabs you from anything else you wanted to do. But unfortunately, soon it becomes difficult to keep its promises. It's not a mystery or a crime novel and it can't stand firmly as a psychological thriller.
January 12, 2017
This is pretty bad, due to either the original writing or the translation? Don't know which. It just screams amateur. The story is poorly portrayed, the MC is either an idiot or perhaps merely learning-disabled, in which case please tell us, the readers. The 'suspense' is all over the place, one moment laid on with a trowel, the next exemplified by a diving loon. Silly. Silly. Silly.
A woman loses her child - and her husband or lover - on a small island. Her reaction is to get sick a lot, feed her cat, go to bed, get up and eat, then return to the island to look for them. It's just not worth writing much more than that. I got one quarter of the way in and thought nah, nothing about this is realistic, including, and even, if it's got a 'supernatural' bent to it.
DNF but read enough to give it one star.
Yes, one star.
A woman loses her child - and her husband or lover - on a small island. Her reaction is to get sick a lot, feed her cat, go to bed, get up and eat, then return to the island to look for them. It's just not worth writing much more than that. I got one quarter of the way in and thought nah, nothing about this is realistic, including, and even, if it's got a 'supernatural' bent to it.
DNF but read enough to give it one star.
Yes, one star.
May 4, 2017
This story is like spiraling down the rabbit hole. I'll admit that for the first half of the book I really had no idea what was going on. I couldn't figure out whether what I was reading was actually happening or was only happening within the mind of the character. She, from the beginning, is portrayed as having psychological issues due to an abusive child hood home and a terrible incident which occurred during that time. I've read other reviews and have discovered that many people disliked this book claiming that it was too confusing. I can understand that but, for me, that helped hook me into the story. I NEEDED to know what was happening. I wanted to see in what direction this author was going. Through out the book there is an uneasy, creepy feeling of dread. You just know the twist is there but can't quite put your finger on it. The ending ties it all up nicely.
If you are debating reading this book because of the reviews claiming that the writing is poor then I assure you that is not the case. The writing is very good and I felt the story line was quite clever in the way it was delivered. That being said; violence, rape, and animal abuse are part of this story so if any of that is a trigger for you then you may want to pass this one by.
If you are debating reading this book because of the reviews claiming that the writing is poor then I assure you that is not the case. The writing is very good and I felt the story line was quite clever in the way it was delivered. That being said; violence, rape, and animal abuse are part of this story so if any of that is a trigger for you then you may want to pass this one by.
April 27, 2018
Greta, her husband Alex and their daughter Smilla are all together in a boat, rowing across a lake to a small island. They are staying at a nearby cabin and taking an outing together. Once they reach the shore, Alex and Smilla decide to go investigate the island and walk away. Greta stays behind in the boat. Her husband and daughter never return. She waits....looks for them....then rows back to the cabin looking for her cell phone. They're gone. No trace. Greta isn't sure what to do. She feels ill....tries to eat...to sleep a little....thinks about calling the police. Where are Alex and Smilla? As she tries to piece her thoughts together, the chilling truth about Greta and her life begin to take form.
I listened to the audio book version of this novel. At nearly 7 hours long, the audio is excellent quality. Tanya Eby narrates. Her voice is easily understood and she reads at a perfect pace. I listened to the entire book, even though at times I really wanted to DNF and move on to something else. I think if I had been reading the print book I wouldn't have made it to the end. For me, the story is just too disjointed. The strangeness and non-linear story is central to the plot -- it's just how this tale works for its effect. But, I didn't like it. The plot develops too slowly. It took so long for hints about reality to really start coming that I lost interest. The main character comes off as annoying rather than someone I might sympathize with or care about. Her behavior and actions are just too odd. The constant whining, throwing up and strangeness is off-putting. I really struggled to get through this story. Does that mean it's a bad book? No. It just means it isn't for me. And it could also mean that the story lost something in translation to English. I do understand that the story is about a woman's loss of reality and her rambling, disjointed memories and understanding of her life and actions. It just didn't work for me. Too much rambling, confusion and just bizarre weirdness from the main character, not enough coherent story.
I listened to the audio book version of this novel. At nearly 7 hours long, the audio is excellent quality. Tanya Eby narrates. Her voice is easily understood and she reads at a perfect pace. I listened to the entire book, even though at times I really wanted to DNF and move on to something else. I think if I had been reading the print book I wouldn't have made it to the end. For me, the story is just too disjointed. The strangeness and non-linear story is central to the plot -- it's just how this tale works for its effect. But, I didn't like it. The plot develops too slowly. It took so long for hints about reality to really start coming that I lost interest. The main character comes off as annoying rather than someone I might sympathize with or care about. Her behavior and actions are just too odd. The constant whining, throwing up and strangeness is off-putting. I really struggled to get through this story. Does that mean it's a bad book? No. It just means it isn't for me. And it could also mean that the story lost something in translation to English. I do understand that the story is about a woman's loss of reality and her rambling, disjointed memories and understanding of her life and actions. It just didn't work for me. Too much rambling, confusion and just bizarre weirdness from the main character, not enough coherent story.
December 2, 2016
This book is a wild, scary ride down a long hall filled with mirrored madness.
Greta is a young Swedish wife vacationing with her handsome husband and adorable daughter. They take a short afternoon boat ride to a nearby island. Then Alex and little Smilla disappear over a hill and never return. So Greta returns to the mainland and notifies the police, right?
No, she returns to the mainland to retrieve her cellphone. When her calls to Alex go unanswered, she goes to sleep. When she finally makes it to the police station, the result is shocking to us, but exactly what Greta expected. Because Greta's life is filled with mysteries.
What is it about Scandinavians that we find so fascinating? With the predominance of blonde hair and blue eyes, glowing complexions, and slender, athletic figures they look like children from the Dawn of Time. True, their homelands are cold and barren, but their society is well-ordered and logical. After centuries of producing some of the most fearsome warriors in human history, they've denounced violence in favor of peace, equality, and fairness.
But violence is hard to eradicate and there's plenty of it in this story. There's the careless emotional abuse of faithless spouses, the mindless brutality of angry teens, and the measured, deliberate cruelties meted out by a charismatic sadist. And, as always, violence begets violence as surely as night follows day.
The Scandinavians have also proudly promoted gender equality, but equal education and professional opportunities can't erase the basic vulnerability of women to abuse. And so this book is partly an examination of why some woman are more vulnerable than others. The narrator during most of the book, Greta is a young woman whose family tragedies have left her uncertain and submissive. Desperate for the affection she feels was denied her, she's an easy target.
But what about her "rival" who picks up the narrative? We never learn what in her life made her agree to become a physical and emotional prisoner. Could ANY woman be tricked into an abusive relationship? Is it just a matter of meeting the right sociopath?
It's also a book about the mother/daughter relationship, which seems unbreakable no matter how rocky it looks or feels. Motherhood (especially of a daughter) makes a woman more vulnerable to abuse, but it can also give her the courage to do what she has to do to get free of an abusive relationship. One of the women in this book did just that and has no regrets. One is determined to free herself and the fate of the third remains in doubt.
I don't normally like "psychological thrillers" and it's impossible to say why this one grabbed me. All I know is that I started reading it and when I finished it, I realized that I had left my chair four times - twice to get more tea and twice to visit the bathroom. The first few chapters were confusing, but once I got into the story, I couldn't stop reading.
It could be called melodramatic, but I'd argue with someone who denounced it as unbelievable. It's important to remember that the author is trying to get inside the mind of an emotionally fragile individual. Greta bears the scars of childhood trauma and her instability has been heightened by the clever manipulation of the person who now controls her life. It's impossible to demonstrate irrational fears and obsessions WITHOUT being over-the-top dramatic.
So could it happen? I'm reminded of an incident several years ago when a celebrity marriage imploded and there were rumors of violence. Amidst the staunch denials on both sides, one of the wife's countrymen commented admiringly, "She fought back like a brave Swedish girl." Sounds like the wild Viking blood lives on.
Greta is a young Swedish wife vacationing with her handsome husband and adorable daughter. They take a short afternoon boat ride to a nearby island. Then Alex and little Smilla disappear over a hill and never return. So Greta returns to the mainland and notifies the police, right?
No, she returns to the mainland to retrieve her cellphone. When her calls to Alex go unanswered, she goes to sleep. When she finally makes it to the police station, the result is shocking to us, but exactly what Greta expected. Because Greta's life is filled with mysteries.
What is it about Scandinavians that we find so fascinating? With the predominance of blonde hair and blue eyes, glowing complexions, and slender, athletic figures they look like children from the Dawn of Time. True, their homelands are cold and barren, but their society is well-ordered and logical. After centuries of producing some of the most fearsome warriors in human history, they've denounced violence in favor of peace, equality, and fairness.
But violence is hard to eradicate and there's plenty of it in this story. There's the careless emotional abuse of faithless spouses, the mindless brutality of angry teens, and the measured, deliberate cruelties meted out by a charismatic sadist. And, as always, violence begets violence as surely as night follows day.
The Scandinavians have also proudly promoted gender equality, but equal education and professional opportunities can't erase the basic vulnerability of women to abuse. And so this book is partly an examination of why some woman are more vulnerable than others. The narrator during most of the book, Greta is a young woman whose family tragedies have left her uncertain and submissive. Desperate for the affection she feels was denied her, she's an easy target.
But what about her "rival" who picks up the narrative? We never learn what in her life made her agree to become a physical and emotional prisoner. Could ANY woman be tricked into an abusive relationship? Is it just a matter of meeting the right sociopath?
It's also a book about the mother/daughter relationship, which seems unbreakable no matter how rocky it looks or feels. Motherhood (especially of a daughter) makes a woman more vulnerable to abuse, but it can also give her the courage to do what she has to do to get free of an abusive relationship. One of the women in this book did just that and has no regrets. One is determined to free herself and the fate of the third remains in doubt.
I don't normally like "psychological thrillers" and it's impossible to say why this one grabbed me. All I know is that I started reading it and when I finished it, I realized that I had left my chair four times - twice to get more tea and twice to visit the bathroom. The first few chapters were confusing, but once I got into the story, I couldn't stop reading.
It could be called melodramatic, but I'd argue with someone who denounced it as unbelievable. It's important to remember that the author is trying to get inside the mind of an emotionally fragile individual. Greta bears the scars of childhood trauma and her instability has been heightened by the clever manipulation of the person who now controls her life. It's impossible to demonstrate irrational fears and obsessions WITHOUT being over-the-top dramatic.
So could it happen? I'm reminded of an incident several years ago when a celebrity marriage imploded and there were rumors of violence. Amidst the staunch denials on both sides, one of the wife's countrymen commented admiringly, "She fought back like a brave Swedish girl." Sounds like the wild Viking blood lives on.
December 31, 2016
This was one of the options for the Kindle First book this month.
On reading the synopsis, it sounded like a psychological thriller that was right up my alley - a woman goes to an island with her husband and young daughter. The husband and daughter go exploring, the woman stays in the boat, the husband and daughter never return.
It promises "more twists than a labyrinth" - that much is true. Unfortunately, each twist is more ludicrous than the last. After a really promising first chapter, the book descended into pantomime, and by the time I got to the part with "the children" (particularly the girl's name), I had gone full Chloe:
The lead character is one of the most unreliable, irritating, lying narrators I've ever come across. As a result, I spent the middle part of the book wondering if any of it was actually happening. In fairness, it did pick up a little towards the end, but at that point I just wanted to finish it. Not an enjoyable read at all and definitely not what it seems.
On reading the synopsis, it sounded like a psychological thriller that was right up my alley - a woman goes to an island with her husband and young daughter. The husband and daughter go exploring, the woman stays in the boat, the husband and daughter never return.
It promises "more twists than a labyrinth" - that much is true. Unfortunately, each twist is more ludicrous than the last. After a really promising first chapter, the book descended into pantomime, and by the time I got to the part with "the children" (particularly the girl's name), I had gone full Chloe:
The lead character is one of the most unreliable, irritating, lying narrators I've ever come across. As a result, I spent the middle part of the book wondering if any of it was actually happening. In fairness, it did pick up a little towards the end, but at that point I just wanted to finish it. Not an enjoyable read at all and definitely not what it seems.
May 25, 2017
Opinião já disponível na Holly Reader -
Terminei ontem de ler este livro, confesso que a primeira coisa que me atraíu nele foi a capa (como tantas vezes é), li muito rapidamente a sinopse e muitas estrelinhas de boas opiniões em relação a ele.
Logo na primeira página há uma descrição física do personagem masculino e este tipo de coisas, não sei porquê, quase nunca me caem bem, a não ser que sejam feitos de forma muito simples e quase "sem querer". No entanto, continuei. As primeiras 100 páginas são bastante previsíveis e melhora um pouco depois disso.
A escrita da autora é bastante objectiva, recorre às comparações de sempre e às metáforas do costume, o que acaba por atenuar o objectivo do suspense, do querer saber o que vai acontecer na página seguinte. Se é esse tipo de livro que procuram, não é este. Especialmente, para quem está habituado a thrillers psicológicos complexos (o que nem é o meu caso). A narrativa é composta por frases curtas, bastantes repetições e, na minha opinião, foi colocado demasiado esforço em convencer o leitor de certas coisas para depois desvendar outra coisa completamente diferente. Eu consegui sentir isso e portanto nunca cheguei a acreditar em nada do que estavam a contar.
Uma das coisas que gostei muito no livro foram os capítulos curtos (mesmo muito curtos) que deram bastante ritmo à leitura, temos mesmo a sensação de estarmos a avançar no tempo. Gostei também de alguns pensamentos a itálico que a autora foi introduzindo ao longo da história e que são como uma lufada de ar fresco. O melhor de tudo, é o grande girl power que é demonstrado por parte de todas as personagens femininas, é bom ver isto também acontecer em ficção.
Infelizmente, estes tópicos que referi não foram suficientes para resgatar esta leitura que me trouxe muito pouco de mistério, entreteve-me durante um tempo, mas sem grandes sobressaltos ou surpresas.
Terminei ontem de ler este livro, confesso que a primeira coisa que me atraíu nele foi a capa (como tantas vezes é), li muito rapidamente a sinopse e muitas estrelinhas de boas opiniões em relação a ele.
Logo na primeira página há uma descrição física do personagem masculino e este tipo de coisas, não sei porquê, quase nunca me caem bem, a não ser que sejam feitos de forma muito simples e quase "sem querer". No entanto, continuei. As primeiras 100 páginas são bastante previsíveis e melhora um pouco depois disso.
A escrita da autora é bastante objectiva, recorre às comparações de sempre e às metáforas do costume, o que acaba por atenuar o objectivo do suspense, do querer saber o que vai acontecer na página seguinte. Se é esse tipo de livro que procuram, não é este. Especialmente, para quem está habituado a thrillers psicológicos complexos (o que nem é o meu caso). A narrativa é composta por frases curtas, bastantes repetições e, na minha opinião, foi colocado demasiado esforço em convencer o leitor de certas coisas para depois desvendar outra coisa completamente diferente. Eu consegui sentir isso e portanto nunca cheguei a acreditar em nada do que estavam a contar.
Uma das coisas que gostei muito no livro foram os capítulos curtos (mesmo muito curtos) que deram bastante ritmo à leitura, temos mesmo a sensação de estarmos a avançar no tempo. Gostei também de alguns pensamentos a itálico que a autora foi introduzindo ao longo da história e que são como uma lufada de ar fresco. O melhor de tudo, é o grande girl power que é demonstrado por parte de todas as personagens femininas, é bom ver isto também acontecer em ficção.
Infelizmente, estes tópicos que referi não foram suficientes para resgatar esta leitura que me trouxe muito pouco de mistério, entreteve-me durante um tempo, mas sem grandes sobressaltos ou surpresas.
February 7, 2017
Lightning review at
I’d really like to write a longer review of The Missing by Caroline Eriksson because it’s a superb psychological thriller, but in order for readers to perfectly get the story, I can only talk about the novel superficially. This book is all about fascinating layers, but they really need to unfold for readers organically.
I was pulled into the mystery immediately (and unexplained vanishings are totally my catnip), but as the book unfolds I became absolutely addicted. It turns out Greta has a complicated past–she tells us her father disappeared, too. And Greta isn’t behaving like I’d expect someone to given the situation. She isn’t calling the police, but rather is searching herself while becoming increasingly untethered.
I can’t say more about this book without ruining it, but I can say that it offers some excellent Not Sorry Not Sorry Female Rage, as well as reflection on the relationships women have with their mothers. Trigger warnings need to be issued for depictions of domestic violence and animal abuse (the latter happens off screen but I found it deeply troubling).
The Missing is a dark, dark book, but a deeply satisfying one. It’s the sort of book I desperately want to talk to someone about–but I have to wait for them to read it first. It’s worth not being spoiled.
- Elyse
I’d really like to write a longer review of The Missing by Caroline Eriksson because it’s a superb psychological thriller, but in order for readers to perfectly get the story, I can only talk about the novel superficially. This book is all about fascinating layers, but they really need to unfold for readers organically.
I was pulled into the mystery immediately (and unexplained vanishings are totally my catnip), but as the book unfolds I became absolutely addicted. It turns out Greta has a complicated past–she tells us her father disappeared, too. And Greta isn’t behaving like I’d expect someone to given the situation. She isn’t calling the police, but rather is searching herself while becoming increasingly untethered.
I can’t say more about this book without ruining it, but I can say that it offers some excellent Not Sorry Not Sorry Female Rage, as well as reflection on the relationships women have with their mothers. Trigger warnings need to be issued for depictions of domestic violence and animal abuse (the latter happens off screen but I found it deeply troubling).
The Missing is a dark, dark book, but a deeply satisfying one. It’s the sort of book I desperately want to talk to someone about–but I have to wait for them to read it first. It’s worth not being spoiled.
- Elyse
April 5, 2017
Por vezes, as novidades dentro de um género de que se gosta e algumas promoções fazem-me cometer erros de casting como este. Cometer erros e perder euros, diga-se...
Assumo que não desgostei da escrita da autora mas não conseguiu corresponder da mesma forma no que à estória diz respeito. É que é completamente non sense! Então pois que a senhora está numa ilha, desaparecem-lhe marido e filha. Coisa chata, portanto. Coisa que deveria acarretar alguma preocupação. Quiçá até chamar a polícia, não? Nada disso. Toca de dar de comer ao gato, ficar doente, ir bater uma soneca durante umas horas, levanta-se, come qualquer coisita e, então, aí sim... Não, não chama a polícia! Volta à ilha à procura dos desaparecidos... Já faz lembrar o outro que dizia "Na caminha é que é bom"...
Se tudo isto era para ser diferente do que por aí se escreve conseguiu, senhora Caroline. Eu é que não faço tensões de botar as vistinhas em mais alguma coisa que surja sua. Medo, muito medo...
Notar que não tenho blogues, não tenho quaisquer parcerias editoriais, não dependo de livros oferecidos para dar opiniões positivas... Esta é a opinião honesta e sincera de alguém que sempre adorou ler mas que, pura e simplesmente, está a chegar a um ponto em que não se serve de qualquer coisa...
1,5* para ser mais precisa.
Assumo que não desgostei da escrita da autora mas não conseguiu corresponder da mesma forma no que à estória diz respeito. É que é completamente non sense! Então pois que a senhora está numa ilha, desaparecem-lhe marido e filha. Coisa chata, portanto. Coisa que deveria acarretar alguma preocupação. Quiçá até chamar a polícia, não? Nada disso. Toca de dar de comer ao gato, ficar doente, ir bater uma soneca durante umas horas, levanta-se, come qualquer coisita e, então, aí sim... Não, não chama a polícia! Volta à ilha à procura dos desaparecidos... Já faz lembrar o outro que dizia "Na caminha é que é bom"...
Se tudo isto era para ser diferente do que por aí se escreve conseguiu, senhora Caroline. Eu é que não faço tensões de botar as vistinhas em mais alguma coisa que surja sua. Medo, muito medo...
Notar que não tenho blogues, não tenho quaisquer parcerias editoriais, não dependo de livros oferecidos para dar opiniões positivas... Esta é a opinião honesta e sincera de alguém que sempre adorou ler mas que, pura e simplesmente, está a chegar a um ponto em que não se serve de qualquer coisa...
1,5* para ser mais precisa.
January 30, 2019
2/5
“Es con él –y no si él- cuando no soy nada. Así de simple. Así de banal. Pero así de cierto.�
Sin Rastro es un thriller psicológico fácil de leer y ameno, pero con una narración tan confusa y con unas situaciones tan absurdas que al final se convierte en una lectura insalvable. Una pena ya que se podría haber aprovechado muchísimo más una historia como esta.
-Wordpress:
-Blogger:
“Es con él –y no si él- cuando no soy nada. Así de simple. Así de banal. Pero así de cierto.�
Sin Rastro es un thriller psicológico fácil de leer y ameno, pero con una narración tan confusa y con unas situaciones tan absurdas que al final se convierte en una lectura insalvable. Una pena ya que se podría haber aprovechado muchísimo más una historia como esta.
-Wordpress:
-Blogger:
April 1, 2019
Para thriller psicológico desiludiu logo no 1o capítulo, com acontecimentos sem nexo e reações ridículas. Foi desenrolando a acção da mesma forma, sempre sem emoção ou suspense, tão característico num thriller deste género. Foi-se tornando previsível e aborrecido, no entanto gostei do final.
April 23, 2018
2,5/5 αστεράκια.
Το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο έχει ήδη 'εξαφανιστεί' από το μυαλό μου,κι ευτυχώς έχω ήδη ξεχάσει πως το διάβασα - όχι πως όσο το διάβαζα συγκρατούσα ούτως ή άλλως πολλά,δηλαδή! Είναι ένα από εκείνα τα βιβλία που σε παραπλανούν,κάνοντάς σε να νομίζεις πως θα διαβάσεις ΤΟ θρίλερ και να συνειδητοποιήσεις τελικά πως διάβασες μια πατάτα!
Ασυνάρτητη γραφή,παραλήρημα άστοχων σκέψεων,μια πρωταγωνίστρια που δεν ήξερε πού πατάει και πού βρίσκεται. Τα 'κόλπα' που χρησιμοποιεί η συγγραφέας προκειμένου να θολώσει τα νερά δεν ιντριγκάρουν τον αναγνώστη,τον κουράζουν. Κι από τη στιγμή που μπαίνει το...πρώτο νερό στ' αυλάκι,τίποτε άλλο δεν φαίνεται να στρώνει. Εντάξει,η ηρωίδα είναι ολίγον χαμένη - αλλά έχουμε διαβάσει κι άλλες χαμένες που έκαναν παπάδες. Ετούτη εδώ απλά περιδιαβαίνει εδώ κι εκεί,χαμένη στην κοσμάρα της,κι ενώ τόσα σκέφτεται και λέει και αναλύει,τελικά δεν κάνει τίποτα. Άλλη το βγάζει το φίδι από την τρύπα. Και φτάνεις στο τέλος -ένα τέλος που δεν ολοκληρώνεται όπως ίσως θα έπρεπε- κι αναρωτιέσαι όχι τόσο γιατί έπρεπε να διαβάσεις τη συγκεκριμένη ΑΝΕΥΡΗ ιστορία,αλλά γιατί έπρεπε να τη διαβάσεις από την οπτική της συγκεκριμένης ΑΧΡΩΜΗΣ ηρωίδας. Η οποία ήταν ένα τίποτα. Τότε και τώρα. Της οποίας το παρελθόν την μετέτρεψε απλά σε ένα άβουλο κέλυφος. Ούτε σε καλή,ούτε σε καλή,ούτε σε εγκληματία. Βιβλίο και ηρωίδα σκέτες μετριότητες. Κρίμα,γιατί η περίληψη και ο τίτλος υπόσχονταν πολλά περισσότερα...
Το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο έχει ήδη 'εξαφανιστεί' από το μυαλό μου,κι ευτυχώς έχω ήδη ξεχάσει πως το διάβασα - όχι πως όσο το διάβαζα συγκρατούσα ούτως ή άλλως πολλά,δηλαδή! Είναι ένα από εκείνα τα βιβλία που σε παραπλανούν,κάνοντάς σε να νομίζεις πως θα διαβάσεις ΤΟ θρίλερ και να συνειδητοποιήσεις τελικά πως διάβασες μια πατάτα!
Ασυνάρτητη γραφή,παραλήρημα άστοχων σκέψεων,μια πρωταγωνίστρια που δεν ήξερε πού πατάει και πού βρίσκεται. Τα 'κόλπα' που χρησιμοποιεί η συγγραφέας προκειμένου να θολώσει τα νερά δεν ιντριγκάρουν τον αναγνώστη,τον κουράζουν. Κι από τη στιγμή που μπαίνει το...πρώτο νερό στ' αυλάκι,τίποτε άλλο δεν φαίνεται να στρώνει. Εντάξει,η ηρωίδα είναι ολίγον χαμένη - αλλά έχουμε διαβάσει κι άλλες χαμένες που έκαναν παπάδες. Ετούτη εδώ απλά περιδιαβαίνει εδώ κι εκεί,χαμένη στην κοσμάρα της,κι ενώ τόσα σκέφτεται και λέει και αναλύει,τελικά δεν κάνει τίποτα. Άλλη το βγάζει το φίδι από την τρύπα. Και φτάνεις στο τέλος -ένα τέλος που δεν ολοκληρώνεται όπως ίσως θα έπρεπε- κι αναρωτιέσαι όχι τόσο γιατί έπρεπε να διαβάσεις τη συγκεκριμένη ΑΝΕΥΡΗ ιστορία,αλλά γιατί έπρεπε να τη διαβάσεις από την οπτική της συγκεκριμένης ΑΧΡΩΜΗΣ ηρωίδας. Η οποία ήταν ένα τίποτα. Τότε και τώρα. Της οποίας το παρελθόν την μετέτρεψε απλά σε ένα άβουλο κέλυφος. Ούτε σε καλή,ούτε σε καλή,ούτε σε εγκληματία. Βιβλίο και ηρωίδα σκέτες μετριότητες. Κρίμα,γιατί η περίληψη και ο τίτλος υπόσχονταν πολλά περισσότερα...
January 11, 2017
I raced through the first part of this book and by the time I stopped listening I realized it had been 5 hours and I was 75% done! I usually only listen to 2 hours maximum before I feel the need to take a break but I was so involved in the story I didn't even notice. Unreliable narrators are one of my favorite story elements and Greta is unreliable in spades. It's not clear what is going on or what Greta's exact issue is but it's obvious that she is not reacting to events like a normal, rational person. To tell you too much would spoil the story so I'll leave it at that. I will note that there is some violence to animals and although we only see the aftermath it is disturbing.
I listened to the audio version and the narration was very good. There were a few mispronounced words that I noticed but overall it was well done.
I listened to the audio version and the narration was very good. There were a few mispronounced words that I noticed but overall it was well done.
June 20, 2017
Gostei muito deste livro e da temática abordada!
April 17, 2021
Θα μπορούσε να είναι ένα αξιοπρεπές ψυχολογικό θρίλερ αν δεν ήταν τόσο κακογραμμένο και η κακή μετάφραση δεν βοήθησε καθόλου!
Ενώ μπαίνει γρήγορα στην υπόθεση μετά αναλώνεται σε βαρετά πράγματα που δε σου κρατάνε τι ενδιαφέρον για να γίνει λίγο πιο ενδιαφέρον στις τελευταίες 60 σελίδες αλλά είναι πια αργά!
It could be a decent psychological thriller if it wasn't so bad written and the translation didn't help at all!
Even though the mystery starts early on the the story is focusing in boring things that didn't manage to keep my interest and although things start to get a bit interesting in the last 60 or so pages it's a little too late to make up for the rest!
Ενώ μπαίνει γρήγορα στην υπόθεση μετά αναλώνεται σε βαρετά πράγματα που δε σου κρατάνε τι ενδιαφέρον για να γίνει λίγο πιο ενδιαφέρον στις τελευταίες 60 σελίδες αλλά είναι πια αργά!
It could be a decent psychological thriller if it wasn't so bad written and the translation didn't help at all!
Even though the mystery starts early on the the story is focusing in boring things that didn't manage to keep my interest and although things start to get a bit interesting in the last 60 or so pages it's a little too late to make up for the rest!
August 13, 2016
Psychothriller klingt irgendwie nach Spannung. Das Buch war aber vor allem langweilig, teils verwirrend und teils voraussehbar.
In der ersten Hälfte ist die Erzählerin so unzuverlässig/wenig Vertrauenswürdig, dass man keine ihrer Erinnerungen so ganz ernst nehmen kann. Das fand ich allerdings nicht spannend sondern einfach nur nervig. In der zweiten Hälfte passieren dann endlich Dinge aber es bleibt langweilig.
Die Figuren bleiben Schemen, gerade Alex ist nur ein Abziehbild. Alles sehr schade und eine vergeudete gute Idee.
In der ersten Hälfte ist die Erzählerin so unzuverlässig/wenig Vertrauenswürdig, dass man keine ihrer Erinnerungen so ganz ernst nehmen kann. Das fand ich allerdings nicht spannend sondern einfach nur nervig. In der zweiten Hälfte passieren dann endlich Dinge aber es bleibt langweilig.
Die Figuren bleiben Schemen, gerade Alex ist nur ein Abziehbild. Alles sehr schade und eine vergeudete gute Idee.
January 24, 2019
Toda una sorpresa. Me ha mantenido pegadísima a sus páginas tanto que no he podido soltarlo en todo el día a cada rato libre que tenía y no he podido irme a dormir hasta terminarlo. Lo he devorado en tan solo un día.
Una historia llena de tensión y angustia en la que nada es lo que parece ni nadie parece ser del todo bueno. Una búsequeda frenética que desembocará en algo totalemente sorprendente.
Me quedo con esta nueva autora para seguirle la pista.
Una historia llena de tensión y angustia en la que nada es lo que parece ni nadie parece ser del todo bueno. Una búsequeda frenética que desembocará en algo totalemente sorprendente.
Me quedo con esta nueva autora para seguirle la pista.
October 1, 2017
Livro muito estranho, mas muito bom
November 26, 2019
This one was hard for me to get into. For being as short as it was, it took me a long time to read. I was pretty confused for the first half and then things started getting sorted out. There was some graphic, random? sexual abuse of some characters. I also thought the whole teenage gang thing random. The last 20% sort of tied it all up and created a sense of understanding, but mostly I was glad it was over. Not the worst book I have read, but not one I will remember either.
December 16, 2016
Don't read this book if you don't have a tonne of patience like I do. If you do, you'll be rewarded from chapter 32 onwards
July 13, 2022
Definitely kept me on my toes, I just wished that I liked the main character a bit more. Okay, a lot more.
September 5, 2019
Z każdą kolejną stroną odnosiłam wrażenie, że cała ta fabuła jest jak sen, jak coś niemożliwego, albo że ta kobieta się tak czuła. Do Zniknięcia idealnie pasuje określenie 'powieść oniryczna'. Nawet kiedy zakończenie już się zrobiło normalnie, to po wcześniejszych wydarzeniach coś tak normalnego wciąż wydaje się być nie na miejscu.
"Ogarnia mnie poczucie, że działam machinalnie, że postępuję według z góry określonego schematu. Robię to, co powinnam. Robię to, co muszę. Jakbym odgrywała rolę."
Choć na początku byłam mocno zaintrygowana, to z czasem moja ekscytacja zaczęła spadać. Niestety autorka choć miała świetne pole do popisu - tajemnicza wyspa, jezioro, dziwni ludzie w wiosce, dziwne zdarzenia, to nie wykorzystała tego w pełni. Eriksson stworzyła bohaterkę, która tak naprawdę ma sama coś z głową, a nie że wszystko inne jest dziwne. Niestety Zniknięcie jest strasznie nafaszerowane opisami, dialogów niemal brak. Czasami niestety się trochę nudziłam. Chyba max. dwa momenty były, które jakoś już mnie ruszyły.
Książka sama w sobie jak dla mnie nie była aż tak zła, bo nawet przyjemnie mi się czytało, mimo słabszych elementów fabuły. Nie wiem tylko czemu niby jest to literatura współczesna, jak książce jest bliżej to thrillera.
Podsumowując: nie było źle, bo jednak ciekawość, co się tak naprawdę stało była, ale doskonale też nie było. Jak dla mnie przeciętna historia na raz.
"Ogarnia mnie poczucie, że działam machinalnie, że postępuję według z góry określonego schematu. Robię to, co powinnam. Robię to, co muszę. Jakbym odgrywała rolę."
Choć na początku byłam mocno zaintrygowana, to z czasem moja ekscytacja zaczęła spadać. Niestety autorka choć miała świetne pole do popisu - tajemnicza wyspa, jezioro, dziwni ludzie w wiosce, dziwne zdarzenia, to nie wykorzystała tego w pełni. Eriksson stworzyła bohaterkę, która tak naprawdę ma sama coś z głową, a nie że wszystko inne jest dziwne. Niestety Zniknięcie jest strasznie nafaszerowane opisami, dialogów niemal brak. Czasami niestety się trochę nudziłam. Chyba max. dwa momenty były, które jakoś już mnie ruszyły.
Książka sama w sobie jak dla mnie nie była aż tak zła, bo nawet przyjemnie mi się czytało, mimo słabszych elementów fabuły. Nie wiem tylko czemu niby jest to literatura współczesna, jak książce jest bliżej to thrillera.
Podsumowując: nie było źle, bo jednak ciekawość, co się tak naprawdę stało była, ale doskonale też nie było. Jak dla mnie przeciętna historia na raz.
January 10, 2017
I downloaded this as a free book from Amazon. The premise of the book had me intrigued even though it's not something that I would naturally have chosen.
It was a surprising page-turner and was almost like a whodunit, as I was constantly re-evaluating the storyline and what I considered must have happened in the past. Thoroughly recommend.
It was a surprising page-turner and was almost like a whodunit, as I was constantly re-evaluating the storyline and what I considered must have happened in the past. Thoroughly recommend.
October 24, 2017
Loved the language, though.
Read
May 3, 2017Comecei com muita vontade, mas desisti.. Demasiado aborrecido, não me cativou e com tanta coisa boa pra ler, não me apetece perder tempo :)
November 9, 2021
Książka o przemocy domowej.
August 2, 2021
Rating 4,5
För att vara en så tunn bok, är det smockfull med handling. Och jag tycker att allt knyts ihop ordentligt i slutet, även om man vid tillfällen tvivlade på allt som Greta säger, tänker och känner.
För att vara en så tunn bok, är det smockfull med handling. Och jag tycker att allt knyts ihop ordentligt i slutet, även om man vid tillfällen tvivlade på allt som Greta säger, tänker och känner.
May 21, 2016
Una barca che dondola solitaria davanti a un'isola verdeggiante. Sicuramente nessuno noterebbe che sotto quelle lievi increspature si nascondono acque profonde e scure. In SCOMPARSI, di Caroline Eriksson edito da Nord, niente è quello che sembra.
Le tinte scure sono ancora una volta quelle tipiche delle ambientazioni del thriller nordico mischiate a una forte , fortissima, componente psicologica in una combinazione riuscita e vincente che preannuncia un successo assicurato. Una combinazione di confusione e panico che risucchia il lettore sin dalla prima pagina, stabilendo fin da subito che SCOMPARSI è un libro che difficilmente si farà mettere giù prima di essere finito. È facile capire, già solo dopo qualche capitolo, perchè abbia riscosso tanto successo alla fiera di Francoforte, vendendo in meno di una settimana i diritti in ben 22 paesi.
L'elemento portante di questa storia è il narratore inaffidabile . Greta, protagonista e voce narrante ci racconta l'accaduto in prima persona, mentre analizza i fatti e ripercorre gli eventi che hanno portato alla scomparsa di Alex e Smilla. Il passato travagliato di Greta l'ha resa una persona psicologicamente instabile, totalmente inadatta ad affrontare la portata degli avvenimenti che svolgono al lago. I suo racconti sono confusi, mancano di una precisa linea temporale, si mischiano a flashback del suo passato, si ripetono, trasformano e cambiano di volta in volta, arricchiti da dettagli che forse sono frutto della sua immaginazione.
Un libro fatto di percezioni e impressioni che portano il lettore a vivere la lettura con uno stato di ansia costante e una confusione terribile.
Una storia imprevedibile, non saprete mai cosa è reale, cosa è un ricordo, immaginazione o sogno. "Mi sfugge" la risposa standard di Greta e tante domande, descrive alla perfezione il romanzo, che continuerà a sorprendervi fino alla fine.
Il ritmo è serrato. Mi verrebbe da dire che è praticamente impossibile mettere giù questo libro senza averlo concluso. Fin dalle prime pagine l'andamento della narrazione è molto elevato, in poco tempo vi ritroverete alla fine con il fiatone e totalmente confusi, del tutto impreparati per affrontare la sconvolgente verità dietro una storia fatta di apparenze.
Sono felice inoltre che si discosti un pò dal modello classico degli scrittori nordici che sono incentrati sulla figura di un detective o di un'investigatore che si ripete nelle opere degli autori più conosciuti come Camilla Läckberg, Viveca Sten e Samuel Bjørk. Non fatevi ingannare dell'inizio della storia. Non è presente una componente paranormale, come potrevve invece sembrare. Andate avanti e vedrete.
Niente è quello che sembra, tutto viene ritrattato e tutto si trasforma . Un libro che è destinato e che merita a mio parere di essere letto. Consigliato a tutti coloro che hanno amato libri come La Ragazza del Treno di Paula Hawkins o La gemella silenziosa di S.K.Tremayne e in generale a chi sta muovendo i primi passi verso questo genere. Un thriller psicologico ad hoc capace di farvi cambiare idea mille e volte e farvi arrivare alla fine senza la minima intuizione .
Questa storia è anche portatrice di un' importante messaggio. Ma questo lo scoprirete da soli leggendo SCOMPARSI di Caroline Eriksson.
Erica
Le tinte scure sono ancora una volta quelle tipiche delle ambientazioni del thriller nordico mischiate a una forte , fortissima, componente psicologica in una combinazione riuscita e vincente che preannuncia un successo assicurato. Una combinazione di confusione e panico che risucchia il lettore sin dalla prima pagina, stabilendo fin da subito che SCOMPARSI è un libro che difficilmente si farà mettere giù prima di essere finito. È facile capire, già solo dopo qualche capitolo, perchè abbia riscosso tanto successo alla fiera di Francoforte, vendendo in meno di una settimana i diritti in ben 22 paesi.
L'elemento portante di questa storia è il narratore inaffidabile . Greta, protagonista e voce narrante ci racconta l'accaduto in prima persona, mentre analizza i fatti e ripercorre gli eventi che hanno portato alla scomparsa di Alex e Smilla. Il passato travagliato di Greta l'ha resa una persona psicologicamente instabile, totalmente inadatta ad affrontare la portata degli avvenimenti che svolgono al lago. I suo racconti sono confusi, mancano di una precisa linea temporale, si mischiano a flashback del suo passato, si ripetono, trasformano e cambiano di volta in volta, arricchiti da dettagli che forse sono frutto della sua immaginazione.
Un libro fatto di percezioni e impressioni che portano il lettore a vivere la lettura con uno stato di ansia costante e una confusione terribile.
Una storia imprevedibile, non saprete mai cosa è reale, cosa è un ricordo, immaginazione o sogno. "Mi sfugge" la risposa standard di Greta e tante domande, descrive alla perfezione il romanzo, che continuerà a sorprendervi fino alla fine.
Il ritmo è serrato. Mi verrebbe da dire che è praticamente impossibile mettere giù questo libro senza averlo concluso. Fin dalle prime pagine l'andamento della narrazione è molto elevato, in poco tempo vi ritroverete alla fine con il fiatone e totalmente confusi, del tutto impreparati per affrontare la sconvolgente verità dietro una storia fatta di apparenze.
Sono felice inoltre che si discosti un pò dal modello classico degli scrittori nordici che sono incentrati sulla figura di un detective o di un'investigatore che si ripete nelle opere degli autori più conosciuti come Camilla Läckberg, Viveca Sten e Samuel Bjørk. Non fatevi ingannare dell'inizio della storia. Non è presente una componente paranormale, come potrevve invece sembrare. Andate avanti e vedrete.
Niente è quello che sembra, tutto viene ritrattato e tutto si trasforma . Un libro che è destinato e che merita a mio parere di essere letto. Consigliato a tutti coloro che hanno amato libri come La Ragazza del Treno di Paula Hawkins o La gemella silenziosa di S.K.Tremayne e in generale a chi sta muovendo i primi passi verso questo genere. Un thriller psicologico ad hoc capace di farvi cambiare idea mille e volte e farvi arrivare alla fine senza la minima intuizione .
Questa storia è anche portatrice di un' importante messaggio. Ma questo lo scoprirete da soli leggendo SCOMPARSI di Caroline Eriksson.
Erica
December 10, 2016
aka The Missing. Got through about 55% of this book and couldn't take it anymore. Absolutely nothing was happening. I came on ŷ to see what people had to say and many said the answers are in the last few chapters. I went back and fast-forwarded to Chapter 40 and skimmed through it. Figured out what must have happened and I'm not at all interested in going back or finishing it. I could not care less about what happened in this book. Life is far too short to read bad books.
SPOILERS: Getting to Chapter 40, I could figure out what may have happened. But, quite honestly, I am sick and tired of these books involving domineering/sadistic/controlling/usually married men whose old ladies won't go for their craziness so they find some loser who is so desperate for a man so she'll do absolutely anything until it's too late. Please, ladies, get yourself some help and stop being victims.
SPOILERS: Getting to Chapter 40, I could figure out what may have happened. But, quite honestly, I am sick and tired of these books involving domineering/sadistic/controlling/usually married men whose old ladies won't go for their craziness so they find some loser who is so desperate for a man so she'll do absolutely anything until it's too late. Please, ladies, get yourself some help and stop being victims.
December 1, 2016
Dámy a pánové, toto je povinnost �
Originální příběh, ve kterém nemůžete věřit ani svým myslenkam při čtení... ZA MĚ THRILLER ROKU 2016!! �
Originální příběh, ve kterém nemůžete věřit ani svým myslenkam při čtení... ZA MĚ THRILLER ROKU 2016!! �
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