The Stonecutter

Patrik Hedström and Erica Falck, Book 3

By: Camilla Läckberg

Narrated by: Eamonn Riley

Length: 16 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

For the first time in English, the third psychological thriller from No 1 bestselling Swedish crime sensation Camilla Läckberg.

The remote resort of Fjällbacka has seen its share of tragedy, though perhaps none worse than that of the little girl found in a fisherman's net. But this was no accidental drowning…

Local detective Patrik Hedström has just become a father. It is his grim task to discover who could be behind the murder of a child both he and his partner Erica knew well.

What he does not know is how the case will reach into the dark heart of Fjällbacka and tear aside its idyllic façade, perhaps forever.

©2010 HarperCollins Publishers (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Mrs Camilla doesn't disappoint.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Stonecutter to be better than the print version?

yes

What did you like best about this story?

That it goes back in the past (as often for mrs Lackberg) and that it is mainly about families.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

It sounded like different people were doing it. So, it was good.
A bit strange was the accent of the readers.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

yes, there were moments, especially related to children.

BEST OF THE FOUR I HAVE LISTENED TO SO FAR.

I thought the narration was superb. The story had me drawn in. Loved it.

Great. Amazing ! I love this audiobook.

Camilla Lackberg is the best ever !!! Amazing books!

Fabulous, believable plot ... Worth a look !

A fast moving story well told and well narrated. A pleasure to listen to. Believable and humanly flawed characters who were going somewhere in a strong plot. More please !

Almost every clichéd character under the sun!

Note - there may be some spoilers in this review.
I listened to the end and I quite enjoyed the story - it was an agreeable way to pass the time.
Was it a great listen? No.
Was I waiting with bated breath for the denouement? No.
Will I get another book by this author? Probably not.
Why?
There were an awful lot of clichés with the characters: the mother with postnatal depression, the religious fanatic, the controlling mother, the abused child, the bumbling policeman, the mentally challenged young man, the child abuser (nothing to do with the abused child), the battered wife...
Need I go on?
There were also bits of the story that seemed totally disconnected. Maybe they related to an earlier book so then they would make sense? I got the feeling they were there to pad out the book or make way for a sequel.
Finally, the narration was good except for some pauses that to me, seemed to be in the wrong places.

Yuk!

The Stonecutter's beginning suggested a gripping mystery. The set up of plot and MAIN characters assured me of a good "whodunnit." Then one unlikeable and unnessessary character after another was added. The storyline veered from a mystery to how many despicable acts can people commit. I really felt disgusting after finishing this book.

Bad writing and bad narration

This is a very disappointing book. I only listened to the whole thing as I had paid for it but it didn't get better and I won't be investing in any other Camilla Lackberg novels. The writing quality is not good. It's rubbishy and reads like a chick-lit 'crime novel' written by a teenager. Most of it is about babies rather than being a crime novel and the characters are more than wooden - they come across as smug and unreal (not to mention annoying). The narrator is a terrible match too - he has a tone of jollyness all the way through which is not a good fit. All in all, I wish I hadn't forked out anything for this book, it didn't deserve it.

No competition to the slew of Swedish authors.

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Someone who has not read or listened to many books.

Would you ever listen to anything by Camilla Läckberg again?

No. I have enjoyed books by other Swedish authors and I didn't find anything original or thought provoking.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Eamonn Riley?

I don't know if any narrator could get inspired enough to do it justice.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Stonecutter?

I think I'd tell her to try another profession.