I got an advance copy with all the requisite hype _ that it’s in the tradition of Stieg Larsson’s Millenium Trilogy. Actually it isn’t other than the fact that it’s set in Sweden and the authors are Swedish. In fact, it’s a mess, with constantly switching protagonists; a plot that inclues an “interlude” of nearly 100 pages that almost put me to sleep; and some of the most unlikeable characters you’ll meet in any book.

I’ll confess. I’ve always liked Scandanvian mysteries, having first read the Maj Sjowall, Per Wahloo police procedurals 30 years ago or so. More recently, I’ve enjoyed Henning Mankell’s Wallander series and the works of the Norwegian Jo Nesbo. I read all three Larsson books. They held my attention, but they were more like cartoons than true novels, appealing only because the main character was appealing in a perverse way.

This book has no Lisbeth Salander. The alleged main character is a neurotic hypnotist with a neurotic wife. His father-in-law is less neurotic, as is the main police character. But the main point seems to be smear as much blood around as possible (along with a lot of sex) to draw readers, starting with the work of a 15-year-old “serial killer,” _ really a spree killer _ who’s beyond credibility. And to confuse readers with parallel plots, parallel characters, a subplot (or maybe the main one) based on Pokemon characters and that pointless interlude.

I guess what annoyed me was the hype that accompanied the copy I got. Yes, this held my attention for about 300 of its 500 pages. Then it veered off course. I struggled to finish it. I did. But no need for anyone else to try.