I absolutely loved this book and I’m over the moon that it is just book 1 of a new series and I’m so looking forward to the next one.
This is a big book with a lot going on and a whole host of characters but I never at any point felt my interest lagging in fact it was quite the opposite I became completely immersed in the wonderful plot and storyline.
What made this read so special for me though was the the two main characters of Mina and Vincent I loved them both it was so addictive finding out about their pasts, their unusual personalities and quirks it all just consumed me and that’s all down to the brilliant writing of the two authors Camilla Lackberg and Henrik Fexeus who really excelled themselves in writing a brilliant story that took over my life.
Let’s not forget the plot here all through the read I was gripped it’s complex and clever, I had no idea of the book was going to end it’s tense and macabre and I loved the puzzles that Victor was so good at and I wasn’t !
So I adored this book it had everything I love in a mystery thriller and a 5 star read it is long but for me I was happy about that because I really was sad when it was finished and I can highly recommend it.
My thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for an advance copy of Trapped, a stand-alone thriller set in Stockholm featuring Detective Mina Dabiri and mentalist Vincent Walder.

Mina enlists Vincent’s help when the body of an unidentified young woman is found in a box, skewered by swords. Vincent’s discovery of Roman numerals on the body suggests that she will not be the last victim.

I enjoyed Trapped to a point, but, to be honest, I think it is too long (about 10 hours) and as a result loses any sense of urgency and tension until the final action scenes. To my mind the novel is mislabelled as a thriller, but that doesn’t make it a bad read, simply something else.

The plot is well constructed and teases out over the course of the novel with a few well placed twists and surprises. Obviously it is a slow and gradual process given the length of the novel and the authors’ other preoccupations, but it also disguises what is to come and heightens the impact of those twists and surprises. I was pleasantly surprised by this impact.

The novel concentrates as much on the characters and their dysfunctional lives as it does on the murder investigation. They are certainly not standard detective types. Mina is an extreme germaphobe and Vincent is on the spectrum with a fascination for numbers and a few problems in his interactions with his wife. Despite this they are very likeable and their connection seems realistic with two lonely oddballs thinking there might be more to it. I think it is a great portrayal of incipient friendship and its pitfalls. I also like that the novel gives voice not just to them but also to the other team members. These other characters are realistic in their tics and foibles and very human.

Trapped is a good read that I can recommend.

Another book I could not put down. I loved the characters of the special team, the story was gripping, the murders were gruesome. The collaboration of these two authors really works. Their two main characters Vincent a mentalist who loves puzzles and Mina a germaphobe police officer but it works. I did not want this book to end!!! This book has everything tension and suspense, heart stopping moments and brilliant methods of murder. This is the start of a new series and I can't wait to read more. I predict this is going to be another gripping and addictive series.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

3.5 rounded down.

The shocking murder of young single mum Tova trapped inside a magicians box and pierced with swords, brings together germophobe Detective Mina Dabiri who consults with master mentalist Vincent Walder to give insights into his world. The countdown is on to stop three more murders.

First of all, the characterisation of Mina and Vincent is very good, they're a quirky combination but it works well and an unlikely friendship forms. There are a LOT of characters to wade through although I guess that is inevitable with a plot that seems to span the length of War and Peace. The premise and plot are good, it's well thought out but in all honesty it meanders willy nilly and thus loses a lot of the thriller and shock element. I really do like the magic/mentalist element which is an unusual, welcome and original slant to the novel as it presents the team with a massive challenge interpreting the messages and codes in a sick jigsaw of an investigation.

The novel takes elements from both writers so we get a domestic family drama especially with Vincent and wife Maria (what a pain she is!), to tension and suspense with a large dash of horror especially at the end, a smidgen of romance, a sprinkling of the downright weird and a soupcon of humour albeit Scandi style. It's a lengthy journey to get to a tense and scary ending although it's easy to guess the perpetrator because it just had to be.

There's a lot that's good but, and it's a big BUT it's just sooooo long, some of it is completely unnecessary (self indulgent???) and so it drags in places and you need stamina to get through it. Does the collaboration work? The jury is out but hopefully if there's a second novel Camilla Lackberg can influence a tighter plot, more reminiscent of her own books.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Superlative Suspense…
Superlative suspense come serial killer thriller with a cleverly crafted plot and a wonderfully fleshed out cast of characters. What appears to be a magic trick is murder. Mina Dabiri enlists the assistance of celebrity mentalist Vincent Walder, after all this is a case the likes of which she has never encountered and the Roman numerals engraved on the leg of the victim suggests that there’s more to come. Brava!

I thought it wonderfully creative and visionary - a sword box illusion containing a mutilated body - found near to the Abba Museum! I loved the quirky main characters of Vincent, the Mentalist and Mina the police officer, their obsessiveness so endearing and intriguing. I am really pleased that this is the start of a new series and look forward to reading more about them.
Camilla Lackberg just gets better and better, a superb psychological thriller, nicely translated into good flowing English with an explosive ending.
One not to be missed.

Where to even start! This was not a book which could benfinished in a day. I'm a very fast reader and it's not unusual to get through 2 books in a day but this one actually kept me going for a few days before I got to the end! And I loved that, it was so juice to finally find a story that wasn't over in the blink of an eye. This is such a cleverly written story, there are so many characters, each well rounded and developed, and they all weave such a complex story. You'll never guess where this story is going. My jaw hit the floor more than once when things were revealed. It's pure escapism and get so far under your skin that you can't help but keep going back every spare second you have. It's just such a well crafted book and it's so intelligently written and perfectly weaved together. This book will take over your life until you get it finished. It's also not an obvious reveal either, I literally had no clue who was behind all of this until it was literally spelled out to me. I really can't fault this at all, this is what all thrillers aspire to be

I really enjoyed this book, it was fast paced and gripping with a well written storyline and well dveeloped characters that had me on the edge of my seat. It was twisty and unpredictable and had me questioning everything. A nailbiting read.

#Trapped #NetGalley
Best police procedural I've read in a long time.
It’s a case unlike anything detective Mina Dabiri has seen before. A woman trapped inside a magician’s box, with swords pierced through. But this time, it’s not a magic trick. It’s murder. Knowing she has a terrifying killer on her hands, Mina enlists the help of celebrity mentalist, Vincent Walder. Only he can give her an insight into the secret world of magic and illusions. Mina and Vincent soon discover that the murder victim has the roman numeral III engraved on her leg. The killer is counting down. There are going to be three more murders. And time is running out to stop them.
This is the best crime thriller I've read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK Harper Fiction for giving me an advance copy.