Crime & Mystery
Vanished is one of those crime novels that lets the atmosphere do quite a bit of the work. Annika Bengtzon feels capable enough to carry that, which helps, because it isn’t in any hurry.
I liked that more than I expected. Not every thriller needs to be sprinting at the wall every five pages. This one has a steadier, colder feel to it.
Small reservation: if you want constant twists, it may feel a touch measured. But if you like a reporter character with some proper backbone and a story that trusts its own mood, it’s worth the time.
I liked that more than I expected. Not every thriller needs to be sprinting at the wall every five pages. This one has a steadier, colder feel to it.
Small reservation: if you want constant twists, it may feel a touch measured. But if you like a reporter character with some proper backbone and a story that trusts its own mood, it’s worth the time.
That sounds like the sort of thriller I’d actually keep with, provided the writing earns the slower pace. Too many crime novels mistake noise for tension.
A reporter protagonist is usually a good sign for me, though. They tend to bring a bit of shape and scepticism to the story, which can be more interesting than another detective who has seen everything. If the atmosphere is doing real work, I’m in. If it’s just mist and mood, less so.
A reporter protagonist is usually a good sign for me, though. They tend to bring a bit of shape and scepticism to the story, which can be more interesting than another detective who has seen everything. If the atmosphere is doing real work, I’m in. If it’s just mist and mood, less so.