Rezensionen und Kommentare

I just keep enjoying these books. Focus on a single crime, entertaining police work. Just what I like.

Ah, this series is just what I enjoy. I picked it up by reading the fifth entry first, which is not an issue. But I guess it's a bit nicer if you start with this book and work your way on up.

What I like about this is that it's just plain detective work. No sinister serial killer targeting the detectives, communicating with them, blabla. There was a crime and it is investigated and reaches a satisfying conclusion. That's all I need and want right now. Absolutely recommended if that scratches your itch too.

Ugh, that was an awful read. I think the author came up with a nice idea but the execution did not work for me. Too gimmicky, too pulpy. I think it could work as an X file-type TV show, as a book series it did not work for me. Very shallow characters, half-baked story. If you're into mysteries that are only slowly revealed, you could give this a try. Otherwise stay away.

The formerly Bosch, now Ballard/Bosch, novels are by far my favorite crime/detective stories. They just tickle me in the right way. It's the absolute minimum of a private life, just enough to keep them human, combined with the more technical descriptions of police work. I have no clue how life-like it really is, but it feels very real and that's what I want. To be fair, the story is probably three stars, but it felt so nice to be back with my two favorite detectives that I gave it four stars. Definitely recommended if you've been following the series, it's a solid entry and you will enjoy it.

Hab das Buch dem mittleren Kind vorgelesen, jeden Abend ein Kapitel und manchmal tagsüber eins. Kannte die ganze Geschichte bislang gar nicht, nur die paar Bruchstücke, an die ich mich aus meiner Kindheit erinnerte. Und das zeigt auch schon, wie Michael Endes Werke Generationen verbinden können und auch über 60 Jahre später noch von Kindern gerne gehört werden. Das Buch selbst fand ich nett. Mitunter wirken Dialoge etwas altbacken, aber zumindest die altmodischen Begriffe gehören auch zum Charme. Die Abenteuer der beiden Freunde werden nie übermäßig spannend und sich auch für kleine Kinder geeignet. Das gruseligste ist Frau Mahlzahn und der Ausflug in die Drachenstadt. Aber auch mit dem Drachen nimmt es, wie mit allem, ein gutes Ende. Wir nehmen uns mit Sicherheit auch noch Die Wilde 13 vor, aber zuerst Die unendliche Geschichte und Momo.

This book was part of a pile of used books I bought. I only knew The Shadow Campaigns from this author and when I picked it up I had no idea that The Forbidden Library is aimed at a slightly younger audience. But I still enjoyed it. It's a quick and enjoyable read, evoking memories of books I read a long time ago. It's not quite His Dark Materials in terms of drama and density, but you don't always need or want that. So I recommend this book for children around Alice's age, which is 12.

This was on my to-read list for a while and I got it as part of package of used books. I enjoyed the book a lot. The world felt fresh and plausible, the characters are not too young, they feel fleshed out and the story was also entertaining. The story is capable people saving the day, which I feel is half-way to the "Chosen One" trope. I do enjoy this, but if you don't, be aware. I think I'll continue the series at some point. The other books are not mainly from Shara's POV, which is what I liked in this book. But I enjoyed the world so much I probably have to return.

German court thriller, not exactly a Grisham. Neither the writing nor the story will challenge anyone. But I still enjoyed it, if only for a glimpse on the German legal system. I feel I am more familiar with the US legal system than the German one, which sounds a bit sad. The characters are fine, maybe a bit shallow. Definitely not deep. The relationship between Rocco and Jarmer seems rather forced. But overall I felt the book was OK. If I come across the next one in the library I might pick it up. I definitely won't pay money for it.

What a dumb book. My goodness. Very simplistic and dangerous worldview, where those damn laws and procedures keep the police from catching the bad guys. And then I got the book where it's about child abuse. Ugh. The author's handling of the awful topic is distasteful and just plain bad. Definitely recommending to stay away from this book and probably the author.

The final entry in the Tom Babylon series. I skipped the third one, at least for now, but that wasn't a problem. I enjoyed the book very much. Sita's chapters were quite painful to read and I feel that real people would not be able to shrug off trauma as easily as fictional characters. But that's why it's fiction. If you read the previous books, definitely pick this up.

What a refreshing, short read. Although short is relative, as the series goes on for eight more books and I feel inclined to read them all.

Wight manages to make my blood boil by writing such convincing self-righteous assholes. It's good to know that Lindon will manage to advance for nine books in total and I am curious to read what else lies ahead for him.

Characters remain rather shallow. A price I am willing to pay here, because so much stuff happens and most of it is exciting. With the examination of the science of Madra it feels somewhat like hard-fantasy/LitRPG. Overall a quick, fun read of the YA variety.

This is one of the cases where the movie is better than the book. I have read another book King wrote as Bachman, The Long Walk, and the memory of it still stays with me even after 30 years. The Running Man did not manage to impress me as much. Maybe I am less impressionable now, but also because the book is not nearly as good. I felt the writing was abusing adjectives and the whole portrayal of the world of 2025 aged liked milk.

Instead of reading this short book, just re-watch the movie with Arnold. Much more entertaining.

Almost 3 stars. A German author writing about a Finnish investigator. The book was quite nice and I enjoyed it, but what I enjoy is reading about crimes and their investigation. Joenta's wife's death featured way too prominently. While it was probably a somewhat accurate portrayal of a bereaved husband, it's just not what I was looking for. Overall nice characters, although we don't get to learn a lot about them. The killer was OK, nothing overly exciting. Overall a nice book with potential. I might continue the series if Joenta finally handles his wife's death.

The final book of the three-book-set I got in a sale. The hours of entertaining I got from them for 99 cents was definitely worth the money. And I definitely will read more VGO and LitRPG books.

What I said for the second book of this series remains true here. If you enjoyed the first two, just continue. If you didn't, why are you still reading this? And if you somehow are thinking about skipping the first two: that just doesn't make any sense at all.