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Pats žiauriausias Švedijos serijinis žudikas Jurekas Walteris prieš keletą metų mirė nuo šautinių žaizdų. Nors policija jo kūno taip ir nesurado, ėmėsi kitų darbų ir spėjo pamiršti, kokį pragarą jiems teko išgyventi.

Tačiau ramybė truko neilgai…

Europoje vėl ima siautėti nevaldomas ir nepaprastai žiaurus žudikas, o pėdsakai užtikrintai veda prie detektyvo Jono Linos. Kažkas nori jam pasiųsti svarbią žinutę… Ar tik ne tas, kuris prisikėlė iš numirusiųjų?

Detektyvas Jonas Lina įsitikinęs – baisiausias košmaras virsta tikrove. Vyras, kuris išdraskė Jono šeimą sugrįžo, kad pabaigtų savo kruviną darbą…

Kai Jono partnerė randama užrakinta po žeme užkastame karste, detektyvas Jonas Lina turi priimti kraują stingdantį sprendimą – palikti ją mirti ar žengti tiesiai į spąstus žmogaus, kurio vienintelio jis kada nors bijojo.

Prasideda nuožmios lenktynės su greitai senkančiu laiku…

512 pages, Hardcover

First published October 19, 2018

804 people are currently reading
8039 people want to read

About the author

Lars Kepler

55 books5,662 followers
Lars Kepler is the pseudonym of critically acclaimed husband and wife team Alexander Ahndoril and Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril, authors of the No. 1 internationally bestselling Joona Linna series. With seven installments to date, the series has sold 13 million copies in 40 languages. The Ahndorils were both established writers before they adopted the pen name Lars Kepler, and have each published several acclaimed novels.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,347 reviews
Profile Image for Matt.
4,605 reviews13.1k followers
April 30, 2020
I find myself excited whenever a new novel by Lars Kepler makes its way to print in English, as I can be assured of a strong story that is not lost when translated. This novel was not a disappointment, as Joona Linna is back to fight another serial killer, but this time there’s a twist. Superintendent Joona Linna continues to hold his coveted position within Sweden’s National Crime Division, though he is rocked when he discovers that his former wife’s head has been discovered in a freezer. The presumed killer is also found dead in Finland, bringing a momentary amount of solace. When the murder of two other criminals have loose connections to Linna, the local police begin asking questions. Linna is baffled and tries to tie it all together, but comes up blank. Meanwhile, the finger of a dead serial killer turns up, leading many to wonder if he might have been alive this whole time. Jurek Walter was a killer known less for his brutal slayings than the psychological damage he did to his victim’s families, as he buried those he captured alive and waited for them to perish. Might Walter be using a proxy to enact some new killings, ‘cleaning up’ some of the criminal detritus that lingers throughout Europe? Saga Bauer, a colleague of Linna’s, remembers fatally shooting Jurek Walter, or so she thought, leaving her as spooked as the others. While Linna and Bauer try to piece together who’s been killing these criminals, it becomes apparent that neither are entirely safe. Linna flees Sweden to find his adult daughter and take her into hiding again, while Bauer leads the hunt to find Walter. When Bauer’s father and kid sister go missing, she knows that she’s in the middle of a cat and mouse game that could end horribly. Fuelled by the love she has for her family, Bauer will stop at nothing to find the man that she thought she’d killed, knowing he thrives on toying with her. Once Linna makes the effort to come out of hiding, he’s ready to hunt Jurek Walter down once and for all, even if it costs him his life. Working in the wooded areas around the country, Bauer and Linna must set a trap before they become the hunted. A brilliant and dark piece by Lars Kepler that only substantiates that this is a much more complex novel than it appears to be on the surface. Recommended to those who love Scandinavian crime thrillers, as well as the reader who is familiar with Kepler’s way of writing and pulling the storyline out for all to savour.

I was introduced to Kepler a number of years ago and found myself enthralled from the get-go. In fact, Kepler is one of many Scandinavian authors whose crime thrillers I thoroughly enjoy. Joona Linna is a wonderful protagonist, as he rarely sees light and glee in his life, forced to cobble together something worthwhile so as not to fall into an emotional abyss. His reunification with a daughter who barely remembered him is nice, though he thrusts her right back into the middle of the drama and must protect her without knowing which way to turn. Others find their way into the story with ease, particularly Saga Bauer, fighting their own demons and trying to push the story forward. Kepler has a wonderful way of painting the characters in so many different lights that there is something for everyone in this piece. The story was strong, though slow to get moving. The subplots work and, by the end, some of the dangling threads seem to find resolution, if not new cliffhangers. As I have said before, the fact that this book is translated from the original Swedish is not apparent at first glance, as the story and narrative are quite smooth. I am eager to see what else Joona Linna might have fall into his lap as he faces new and dastardly criminals in the upcoming novels.

Kudos, Lars Kepler, for your wonderful collaborative effort. I have loved every one of your books and this was no exception. While you may be an acquired taste, I encourage everyone to give your writing a try!

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Profile Image for Dave.
3,584 reviews438 followers
September 21, 2021
In a literary world where there are serial killers running amuck, Lazarus gives us a serial killer story so horrifying, so harrowing, so terrifying, that you may never sleep again -- at least with eyes closed. Saga plugged Jurgen Walter three times, his body washed away, his remains were found, and identified by DNA. Yet, Joona Linna doesn't believe it. He has made preparations because he knows that if Jurgen ever rises from the dead, his revenge at the Swedish police who took him down will be unending. Jurgen specializes in burying his victims alive in coffins with a small tube for air and he has these living corpses to trade. He comes at his targets through those they can't bear to lose. There doesn't seem to be anything that'll stop him. This is the seventh of the Joona novels penned by a husband and wife writing team under the pseudonym Lars Kepler. They are haunting, dark, and tough to put down as the tension pulls tighter and tighter.
Profile Image for LolaF.
399 reviews390 followers
May 3, 2021
Venganza, manipulación y destrucción. Un ángel negro, aniquilador se cierne sobre nuestros protagonistas.

Después de haber leído hace tiempo los libros anteriores, una espera/confía en recordar las partes esenciales que definen a los personajes y la trama que da continuidad a la serie y espera/desea mantener/superar esa leve sensación o recuerdo que perdura de los libros anteriores. Pero a veces, la memoria es selectiva o se vuelve un poco perezosa.

Casi me acuerdo mejor del inspector Linna de los primeros libros. No recordaba para nada a su nueva compañera y respecto a que "Jured Walter ha vuelto", ¿¡Quién es ese!?. El malo malísimo que salía en el cuarto libro El hombre de arena, un psicópata que volvió loco a Linna afectando muy directamente al inspector y su familia.

La pareja que escribe bajo el seudónimo de Lars Kepler no suele hacer un resumen de los libros anteriores, arranca directa y cuando menciona hechos anteriores tienes que hacer un esfuerzo por recordar. Por todo ello, durante la primera parte del libro he ido un poco perdida hasta poder situarme y recordar parte de los libros anteriores. Además me ha parecido más descriptiva y se me ha hecho un pelín lenta.

Pero tranquil@s, que cuando termina de arrancar, el ritmo se acelera y la tensión vuelve a brillar en un caso que afectará directa y profundamente a nuestros protagonistas. Alguien en busca de venganza pretende manipularlos y destruirnos de la forma más cruel y despiada: a través de nuestros seres queridos. Alguien a quien no debes subestimar, cualquier error tiene un alto precio que nuestros protagonistas van a pagar y la pregunta es ¿Se podrán recuperar? ¿En qué estado? El sentimiento de culpa es muy difícil de superar y la última escena vivida me pareció brutalmente dolorosa. Entiendo su reacción, la de una persona rota, destruída. Aún así me gustaría volver a encontrarmela en la octava entrega de esta serie, porque, aunque con gran esfuerzo haya conseguido acabar con "El Psicópata", vela sobre la cabeza de un protagonista una gran amenaza.

Valoración: 8/10
Lectura: Mayo 2021
Profile Image for Pinja.
1 review3 followers
January 19, 2019
Disappointed, so disappointed.
As soon as Joona got the idea that Jurek Walter might be behind the murders around Europe I couldn't help but groan. This book made Jurek seem like a goddamn wizard, he was somehow able to know every single detail about everyone and everything,even though he had now other companions than the weird big fella with the earrings. And what on earth was going on with him. The entire book I was just hoping to get some reasonable backstory for him, but nope, he was just this weird gigantic dude that had no other purpose than just adding more abilities for the all mighty Jurek.
And oh my god all the unnecessary deaths, which I think made the book also feel kind of predictable. I don't know if it's just that Kepler's style feels so familiar, but I felt like the structure of the plot was sort of boring. When I realized that literally everyone that was introduced would get killed within two pages I stopped caring about anyone. That, I think, made the death of Pellerina so underwhelming. I felt sort of numb from all the murder and extreme violence.
Anyway. I had to rant because I read it in a day since I do love the other books from the writers but this one just made me mad.
ps. the whole Super Man Joona and Dumb Boss Carlos ( that won't let him do anything >:-() is getting very old.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Gary.
2,941 reviews420 followers
April 28, 2020
This is the 7th book in the Joona Linna series by Swedish husband and wife team Alexander and Alexandra Ahndoril, better known as Lars Kepler. This book once again features Linna’s nemesis, Jurek Walter and in my opinion spoilt my enjoyment with the story continuing. I would have preferred a complete new case and suspect.
The story is fast paced with short punchy chapters but I feel the story and possibly the series is becoming a little tired. I hope the authors return can return to the consistency of the first three books in the series which were exceptional.
Profile Image for Carolyn Walsh .
1,851 reviews566 followers
July 6, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC of this dark Swedish thriller in return for an honest review. Lars Kepler is the pen name for a Swedish couple who have written the very popular Joona Linni series. Lazarus is the 7th book featuring the dour, perceptive, and troubled Detective, Joona Linni. I read the first three books in the series years ago and thought they were suspenseful crime thrillers with well-constructed plots. At the time, I was hoping for a leading character as memorable as Lisbeth Salander but I didn't connect with the brilliant Joona as I had hoped.

This is a dark, relentless descent into the world of a fiendish psychopath whom forensic evidence concluded he was dead after being shot by a policewoman. Joona believes he is still alive, even after DNA results have proven otherwise, and he is still leaving a path of death and destruction. Joona presents credible theories in regards to him still carrying out his murderous work with the motivation of destroying people related to his victims by causing them to suffer unbearable grief.

Of course, authorities and colleagues disregard Joona's beliefs which leads
to more tortures and deaths and to the police making mistakes while trying to stop him. There is also a diabolical contest where the fiend is attempting to find and recruit the most violent brute to help him. Joona figured this out, but his fellow detectives disregard this theory setting them on a confusing path which delays capture of the deadly, cunning killer.

Be warned, this is a non-stop tale of graphic gore and grotesque killings. There is so much of this that there is little time to build up suspense. I believe I have become desensitized to this type of content. Some of my favourite books so far if 2020 have been crime novels featuring deranged serial killers. Lazarus seemed padded with so much killing that I became numb. So many new characters were introduced only to increase the horrendous death count. It was difficult for me to keep them all sorted, but it didn't matter as they didn't last long.

There is no doubt that the authors can write breathless action scenes, especially thrilling chases and explosions. Some scenes I found preposterous and a certain suspension of disbelief was required. This was apparent when Joona figured out where many bodies were buried from clues from the position of the stars. The ending may be setting up the reader for a further book in the series.
Profile Image for Pat.
2,310 reviews496 followers
November 9, 2020
I think this book belongs in a new genre - Nordic ultra noir. It was so very, very dark! I’ve read a lot of thrillers about killers but this guy was really something else. This is also book 7 of a series. I haven’t read any of the others (I know, I know it’s against my ‘rules’) but I might go back to the start now. Having heard lots of good things, I really wanted to try this series and I’m so glad I did! I floundered a little at the start because clearly, this story began in at least one, more likely more, earlier books. For example the main character, police officer Joona Linna (apparently a superintendent although you wouldn’t know it from this book) has recently come out of prison and, after finishing the book, I still don’t know why he went to prison.

Not to worry, the story soon got going and I forgot about minor issues like backstory as I was swept away in this rather long and intricately plotted, very tense story. Jurek Walter was one of the worst killers Sweden had ever seen. He had been in a secure psychiatric facility but had escaped. Then, whilst on the run with his twin brother, Igor, he was apparently shot dead by Saga Bauer, a young and very capable policewoman working with Joona. Joona himself had shot and killed the brother. Jurek fell into a body of water and was swept away, presumed dead. But a series of strange coincidences signals to Joona that Jurek is alive and still orchestrating events. He has also apparently acquired another partner to do much his dirty work, replacing his brother.

Jurek doesn’t actually live for the killing, although he does it with ruthless efficiency. No, his goal, his reason for living almost, is to destroy the loved ones of his enemies leaving them so alone and wracked with guilt that they usually end up killing themselves. And Jurek is almost unstoppable. He moves like a ghost and is utterly, utterly implacable. Relentless. I think this is one of the few books that really did raise my blood pressure! If you need an ending where everyone lives happily ever after - this is not a book for you. But if you like nail biting suspense, drama and lots of shocks you should really enjoy this. Just be warned - a lot of people die in this story. 4.5 stars rounded down because I thought it was a little long. Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and Lars Kepler for providing a copy for review. My opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Natalia Luna.
351 reviews182 followers
August 23, 2024
Un 3 y medio de nota.
Creo que los autores ya no me sorprenden como al principio. Lo único que han hecho con este libro es cambiar el tiro de la desgracia y el sufrimiento de Joona a Saga.
Forzadísimo todo resucitando al psicópata de El hombre de arena. Para mi desgracia leí ese libro hace bastante y no recordaba casi nada, por lo que al ponerme con esta segunda parte, iba perdida. Aún así es una lectura que engancha y las escenas truculentas impresionan.
En cuanto a la extensión del libro me parece una exageración tanta página, algo más cortito y no se me hubiera hecho tan pesado, ya que giraba una y otra vez sobre cosas del pasado de Joona que ya conocemos de sobra.
Libro correcto pero sin más.
Profile Image for Tempo de Ler.
728 reviews100 followers
October 11, 2019
Com a intensidade a que já estamos habituados – e um ligeiro acréscimo em violência - os autores avançam energicamente pelo enredo desta 7ª adição à série Joona Linna, prendendo-nos no seu suspense, desejosos pela conclusão…apensa para nos deixarem ainda mais curiosos com os desenvolvimentos que deverão fazer parte do próximo livro.

Ao contrário do que acontece normalmente neste tipo de livro, os eventos da história e as escolhas dos personagens têm verdadeiras consequências nas suas vidas, deixando-nos perceber bem cedo que tudo pode acontecer, aumentando o nosso interesse e atenção na trama.

No entanto, não descartando a hipótese de ser consequência da tradução, a qualidade da escrita deixa bastante a desejar, atropelando-se numa construção errante de descrições cruas e brutas entrecortadas por tentativas poéticas que não combinam nem com a situação nem com o tipo de prosa que as rodeiam. Além disso, os autores seguem uma fórmula na sua escrita: um parágrafo de desenvolvimento da cena de suspense, um parágrafo de descrição de cenário/ambiente…e assim sucessivamente ao longo de todo o livro. Esta tentativa de nos deixar suspensos nos acontecimentos tem funcionado desde o primeiro livro da série, mas neste é demasiado óbvia e irritante. Também me desagradaram as inverosimilhanças associadas aos personagens… depois de tudo o que passou, Jurek só pode ser sobre-humano para manter a capacidade física e mental descrita. E Saga, cuja competência é máxima nos livros anteriores, passa a vida a cometer deslizes de amador em Lazarus.

Gostei do livro e do entusiasmo que senti ao lê-lo, mas comparando-o com outros da mesma série é notório o decréscimo de qualidade.
Profile Image for Jannelies (living between hope and fear).
1,269 reviews164 followers
August 10, 2020
I was over the moon when I found this title in the category 'read now' on Netgalley. Although I still haven't read all Joona Linna books, I'm a big fan of this series. The stories may be not so very different from other Nordic noir books, the characters certainly are.
As the title makes clear, we are talking about the resurrection of someone. Someone who was killed by Saga Bauer. She swears she hit him three times and she even tracked down his unofficial graveside. Unfortunately, it looks like Jurek Walter, Joona's biggest enemy, came out of the grave to pick up his horrible actions. Or not? Strange things are happening that point to Walter, but sometimes they point away from him.
Joona, out of jail, trying to rebuild his life, cannot help but wagering all he has to try and find (and kill) Walter for a second time.
This is a harrowing story with many, many twists and turns, with danger and violence. But, also with hope and even love.
You don't have to read this series in (I certainly didn't) but it may help in understanding why some people do what they do.
This book left me breathless.

Thanks to Netgalley for this digital reading copy.
Profile Image for Sandra.
124 reviews8 followers
October 27, 2018
Why am I even reading this?
First books were kind of entertaining. A read where you do not have to think too much. No literal value and it was getting worse by the book. This last one, still no literal value but so stupid. I had a feeling that writers were whispering to my ear: "Read, read you moron. I am making money of it." The worst thing is that it looks like it will continue, judging by the end. 8th book about macho-perfect-handsome-unwinnable Joona Lina. I think it is more than the world can handle 😉
I know that many people like Swedish crime series and I am a bit weak for them too. But this is just insultingly stupid and ridiculous.
So sad when the wish to make money is the only driver to writers and publishers.
Profile Image for Anna-Sofie.
740 reviews21 followers
January 3, 2019
Remember the Friends episode, when Joey hides "The Shining" (and later "Little Women", but that's another story!) in the freezer? Yes, this was how I felt about this book - I had to leave it in the living room every evening, as it was definitely NOT bedside reading. I may have become a softie, but it was really scary...but at the same time so well written that I simply couldn't put it away. Joona Linna and Saga Bauer are simply such effective characters - and this book is high paced to the point where I almost lost my breath at times.
Profile Image for Kyriaki.
474 reviews242 followers
April 12, 2022
Πριν μερικά χρόνια διάβαζα μανιωδώς αστυνομικά, τώρα όμως πλέον τα έχω παρατήσει κάπως, σαν να έχω πέσει σε ένα κάποιο reading slump στο είδος. Ούτε και θυμάμαι ποια ήταν η τελευταία φορά που διάβασα σκανδιναβικό αστυνομικό!
Η συγκεκριμένη σειρά με πρωταγωνιστή τον Γιούνα Λίνα ήταν από τις αγαπημένες μου και την είχα ξεκινήσει εξαιτίας μιας φίλης και την διαβάζαμε μαζί. Ίσως αυτός να είναι και ο λόγος που συνεχίζω ακόμη. Σίγουρα βέβαια βοηθάει και το ότι τα βιβλία της σειράς πάνε από το καλό στο καλύτερο και ο Γιούνα είναι από τους αγαπημένους μου πρωταγωνιστές στο είδος.

Λάζαρος λοιπόν! το τελευταίο μέχρι στιγμής.
Ο Λάζαρος, άμεση συνέχεια του προηγούμενου βιβλίου, είναι μια πολύ προσωπική υπόθεση για τον Γιούνα, καθώς ο Γιούρεκ Βάλτερ, ο serial killer που στοίχειωνε τη ζωή του για χρόνια είναι ακόμη ζωντανός. Τον δολοφόνο δηλαδή τον ξέρουμε από την αρχή της ιστορίας (περίπου), και αυτό όχι μόνο δεν την κάνει λιγότερο ενδιαφέρουσα, αλλά αντίθετα, κατά τη γνώμη μου την κάνει ακόμη πιο αγωνιώδη. Ξέρουμε για το τι είναι ικανός ο Γιούρεκ, ξέρουμε ότι δεν έχει αναστολές και ηθικούς φραγμούς, ξέρουμε τον τρόπο που δρα, κάτι τρομερά αγχωτικό, με την αγωνία να αυξάνεται σελίδα με τη σελίδα.
Θυμάμαι πως στο προηγούμενο είχα σκεφτεί πως ο Γιούρεκ μου θύμιζε τον Χάνιμπαλ Λέκτερ. Ο Γιούρεκ μπορεί να μην είναι κανίβαλος, είναι θα έλεγα όμως κι αυτός κατά κάποιο τρόπο ανθρωποφάγος, ίσως με έναν λιγότερο σιχαμένο τρόπο, περισσότερο χειριστικό, κάτι που τον κάνει εξαιρετικά τρομακτικό και απρόβλεπτο.

Όλα αυτά σε συνδυασμό με τον τρόπο γραφής και τα μικρά σε έκταση κεφάλαια με κρατούσαν ξάγρυπνη τα βράδια, διαβάζοντας λίγο ακόμη και λίγο ακόμη!

Αν σας αρέσει το είδος και δεν έχετε διαβάσει Lars Kepler να το κάνετε! Είναι πολύ καλοί!


και κάποιες σποιλερ σκέψεις:
Profile Image for Miglė.
Author 20 books484 followers
June 8, 2023
Kas man patinka šių autorių knygose:
suteikiamas charakteris žmonėms, kurie atsiduria pavojuje arba tampa aukomis – ten pvz policininkai ruošiasi šturmuoti namą, papasakojama, kaip policininkė stebi tamsą, kaip galvoja, ką veiks grįžusi, kaip plepasi su kitais, sužinome kažką apie jos santykius ir pan. Jei ji nukenčia, jaučiame tai kaip realią netektį, ne šiaip "auką".

Kas po kelių knygų pradeda atsibosti:
"underworld" pasaulio vaizdavimas. Atrodo, gerai, kad įtraukia ne tik blizgią gyvenimo pusę, bet kartais atrodo kaip šokiruojančių vaizdų prikišimas visai be reikalo, kuris nelabai ką duoda siužetui. Ir sekso scenos – tarp pargindinių personažų seksas gražus, aistringas, tarp "padugnių" – atgrasus, purvinas. Ar tikrai visada taip?

Kas dar būdinga Lars Kepler, tai suktas, protingas, žiaurus, beveik nenugalimas antagonistas. Gerai, nes įdomu sekti siužetą: atrodo, jau tuoj tuoj jį pričiups, bet jis ir vėl išsisuka, dar pasėdamas naikinimo bangą (žr. pirmą punktą).
Šioje knygoje tačiau šitas jautėsi truputį perspausta. Jono Linos arch nemesis, "prisikėlęs iš mirusiųjų", jau toks viską numatantis, jau toks nepažeidžiamas. Suprantu, kad reikia užkelti statymus, bet kitose knygose puikiai užteko "naujų" antagonistų, kam prikėlinėti seną?
Profile Image for Kelly.
359 reviews15 followers
November 21, 2018
Een topper waar ik al lang naar uitkeek!
En oh boy, het was het wachten zeker waard! 😯😍

Gelezen: “Lazarus” - Lars Kepler
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (omdat 10 sterren onmogelijk is) 🤭

Wat een topper!
Ik hou van de vlotte schrijfstijl van dit schrijversduo!
Joona komt sympathiek over maar is eens doorzetter eerste klas!
Zalige opbouw van de spanning van pagina 1 tot de allerlaatste letter in dit boek!

Wat een thriller! Voor mij persoonlijk, een van de beste thrillerreeksen die ik ooit las! Gruwelijk spannend!
Ik ben verliefd! 😦🥰

Hopelijk komt er nog een deel 8 (ik vermoed van wel), want dat einde! 😱👌

Ik moet niet meer zeggen dat ik gek ben van Scandinavische schrijvers denk ik 🤔😆
Profile Image for Sebastian.
736 reviews67 followers
March 1, 2019
3.5 Sterne

Es gibt Romane, bei denen bräuchte man praktisch schon beim Buchtitel eine Spoilerwarnung – „Lazarus“ von Lars Kepler ist eines davon. Der insgesamt bereits siebte Fall für den finnischstämmigen, jedoch in Schweden ermittelnden Kriminalkommissar Joona Linna ist zwar thematisch weit entfernt vom bekannten gleichnamigen Kirchenheiligen, wer aber über ein normales Maß an Allgemeinbildung verfügt weiß, dass dieser in der Bibel von Jesus von den Toten auferweckt wurde – und kann damit schnell ahnen, womit Alexandra und Alexander Ahndoril (das schwedische Autorenpaar hinter dem Pseudonym „Lars Kepler“) ihren leidgeprüften Helden in diesem Band konfrontieren. Zwar ist dieser im Verlauf der Reihe bereits zwar in gewisser Weise selbst von den Toten wieder auferstanden, im Mittelpunkt von „Lazarus“ steht aber Linnas ärgster Widersacher, der skrupellose Serienmörder Jurek Walter. Der Mann, der für viele Jahre die Familie des Kommissars zu einem dramatischen Versteckspiel gezwungen hat, wurde zwar bei einem Polizeieinsatz von mehreren Kugeln getroffen und stürzte vermeintlich tödlich getroffen in einen reißenden Fluss, doch aktuelle Ereignisse wecken in Joona Linna die Angst, dass das für unmöglich gehaltene tatsächlich Realität ist: Jurek Walter lebt.

Ein Wiedersehen mit alten Bekannten – und alten Feinden?

Wer mit „Lazarus“ zum ersten Mal mit der Thrillerreihe von Lars Kepler in Verbindung tritt und die bisherigen Bände nicht gelesen hat, der mag nun vielleicht die Befürchtung haben, sich in diesem Fall ohne Vorwissen möglicherweise etwas verloren zu fühlen. Zwar liefern die Ahndorils keine detaillierte Aufarbeitung der bisherigen Geschehnisse um Joona Linna, Jurek Walter und weiteren Beteiligten wie der ebenfalls wieder auftretenden Staatsschutz-Mitarbeiterin Saga Bauer (das würde wohl auch zu viel Raum einnehmen), fassen die wichtigen Eckpunkte der recht komplexen Vorgeschichte aber an den nötigen Stellen kurz zusammen, sodass man „Lazarus“ theoretisch auch als eigenständiges Werk lesen könnte – der ein oder andere Zusammenhang könnte sich für Neueinsteiger aber dennoch nur recht schwer erschließen.

Joona Linna vs. Jurek Walter – das große Finale

Trotz der umfangreichen „Altlasten“ der Story und der vielen Figuren verläuft die eigentliche Handlung in diesem siebten Band der Reihe jedoch recht geradlinig und legt den Fokus auf ein hohes Erzähltempo, reichlich Action und vor allem ein durchaus ausgeprägtes Maß an Brutalität. Anders als bei den vorherigen Büchern gibt es keinen typischen Fall im klassischen Sinne, der mit einem Verbrechen beginnt und über mühsame Spurensuche nach und nach zum Täter führt, stattdessen wird man nahezu unmittelbar in den Konflikt „Joona Linna gegen Jurek Walter“ hineingeworfen. Denn als in Oslo im Kühlschrank eines Ermordeten der ausgegrabene Schädel der toten Ehefrau von Joona Linna gefunden wird und wenig später ein Ermittler aus Deutschland bei einem Mordfall nahe Rostock um Hilfe bittet, bei dem das Opfer zuletzt die Telefonnummer von Linna gewählt hat, ist Keplers Protagonisten direkt klar, wer hinter diesen Fällen steckt – auch wenn seine Kollegen darauf beharren, dass Jurek Walter seit Jahren tot ist. Folglich wird „Lazarus“ für Joona Linna zu einem Katz-und-Maus-Spiel – entweder gegen den wiederauferstandenen Feind oder gegen die eigene Paranoia, die den Polizisten gegen alle Vernunft an das Unmögliche glauben lässt.

Hohes Tempo, hohe Opferzahlen

Folglich liest sich dieser Thriller fast wie eine durchgehende Verfolgungsjagd, bei dem die Rollen von Jäger und Gejagtem jedoch nicht klar verteilt sind. Die Spannung ist von Beginn an hoch und hält dieses Niveau auch bis zum Ende, da Alexandra und Alexander Ahndoril ihre Geschichte clever inszenieren und unter anderem durch einige schnelle Szenenwechsel und gelungene Cliffhanger den Puls ihrer Leserschaft in die Höhe schießen lassen. Dazu trägt auch die bereits erwähnte Brutalität des Buches bei – und dabei ist nicht unbedingt die explizite Schilderung von Gräueltaten gemeint, denn „Lazarus“ ist zwar durchaus gewalthaltig, erspart den Lesern aber auch oft das Schlimmste und lässt dies im Verborgenen geschehen. Häufig sind es vielmehr die seelischen Grausamkeiten, die einem das Blut in den Adern gefrieren lassen – etwa wenn Opfer über Monate hinweg lebendig begraben und nur gerade so am Leben erhalten werden, um ihr Leiden ins schier Endlose zu verlängern.

Manchmal etwas zu viel des Guten (bzw. Bösen)

Allerdings birgt dieser Aspekt zugleich auch eine Schwäche des Romans, denn bei all der Spannung und Dramatik wirkt „Lazarus“ insgesamt auch ein wenig plump und setzt etwas zu sehr auf diese Schockeffekte. Gerade in Bezug auf die Figur Jurek Walter bekommt man fast ein wenig das Gefühl, als würde das Autorenpaar ihren Bösewicht gerne auf eine Stufe mit gefürchteten Schurken der Literatur wie z.B. Thomas Harris‘ legendärem Hannibal Lecter oder Sir Arthur Conan Doyles Professor Moriarty stellen – wie eine dunkle Macht, die überall und nirgends ist, scheinbar allwissend mit dem Helden ein perfides Spiel treibt und diesem immer mindestens eine Nasenlänge voraus ist. Doch um eine derartig furchteinflößende Aura zu erzeugen reicht es eben nicht, auf streng genommen doch arg unrealistisch wirkende Weise immer zur rechten Zeit am rechten Ort zu sein und möglichst grausam und gewissenlos zu töten. Um wirklich auch beim Leser für Angst und Schrecken zu sorgen braucht es auch eine bedrohliche und gewisser Weise verstörende Ausstrahlung, doch leider geht diese dem Charakter Jurek Walter völlig ab und dieser bleibt zumindest in diesem siebten Band die meiste Zeit über arg farblos – Gewalt alleine ist eben nicht alles.

Spannender, aber etwas überinszenierter Thriller

Das Autorenduo „Lars Kepler“ hat mit „Lazarus“ also insgesamt einen sehr unterhaltsamen und auch durchweg spannenden Thriller hingelegt, der von Anfang bis Ende zu fesseln weiß – wenngleich Neueinsteiger in die Joona-Linna-Reihe vielleicht ein paar Anlaufschwierigkeiten haben könnten. Um aber wirklich nachhaltig in Erinnerung zu bleiben fehlt es dem Buch jedoch an Überraschungen, da die Geschichte über weite Strecken doch ein wenig vorhersehbar ist – auch weil Alexandra und Alexander Ahndoril Linnas Widersacher etwas zu allmächtig dargestellt haben, sodass die Glaubwürdigkeit dabei des Öfteren auf der Strecke bleibt. Wer die Reihe mag kommt aber sicherlich auf seine Kosten und erhält mit „Lazarus“ einen zufriedenstellenden Abschluss der Jurek-Walter-Story. Wie gut das Buch als Einzelband funktioniert sei an dieser Stelle einmal dahingestellt.
Profile Image for Madara.
354 reviews56 followers
October 2, 2020
2,6/5
Quality of writing: 3
Plot development: 3
Pace: 2
Characters: 3
Enjoyability: 2
Ease of reading: 3

I was really, really, really hoping this would blow my socks off. I was excited and I was ready to read some quality mystery thriller! Maybe next time? Maybe I shouldn't have started with the 7th book in the series?
First third of Lazarus was really good. I found myself just sitting down and reading and reading and reading. Yes, the language seemed a bit simple in places (and complicated in others) and I don't know if it's the translation's fault or it's the fact that there's actually two people writing this book? Pace seemed a bit all over the place. Book finally picked up in the last 80 pages, but those last 15-20 pages were a disappointment. In my opinion - ending is a bit anticlimactic.
Joona Linna is absent for a big chunk of this book... The only interesting character seemed to be Beaver, his weird premonitions and pearl earrings...
But - Kepler can write a damn good and gory murder scene, I'll give them that. I think those were the scenes that kept me interested and going.

Review copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Britt-Marie Kullin.
1,240 reviews108 followers
October 31, 2018
Betyg: 4,5 av 5.

Lazarus är den sjunde boken i serien om Joona Linna, av Lars Kepler. Jag har läst alla dom sex tidigare böckerna, och tyckt mycket om dom allihopa. Här är länkar till mina recensioner av dom: Hypnotisören, Paganinikontraktet, Eldvittnet, Sandmannen, Stalker, och Kaninjägaren. (Jag har även läst den fristående boken Playground av Lars Kepler, och länkar här även till den).

Och Lazarus gjorde mig absolut inte besviken. För den var precis lika bra som dom tidigare böckerna i serien.

Boken var mycket spännande. Den var lättläst och snabbläst, trots att den är 550 sidor lång. Den var inte förutsägbar. Och den var välskriven. Boken är också mycket blodig och våldsam, och inget för känsliga läsare.

Jag kan absolut rekommendera boken till alla som har gillat Lars Keplers tidigare böcker. Och även till er som inte har läst författaren tidigare. Men som alltid när det gäller böcker i serier, så tycker jag att man ska följa serien från början.

Och jag ser redan fram emot bok nummer åtta om Joona Linna.

Profile Image for Μαρία Ανδρακάκη.
41 reviews14 followers
June 2, 2021
ΛΑΖΑΡΟΣ : Φίλος του Ιησού τον οποίο ανέστησε τέσσερις ημέρες μετά τον θάνατό του.

Σχεδόν τρομακτικό,σε πολλά σημεία ανατριχιαστικο, σκηνές που πολλές φορές με έκαναν να διαβάζω ξανά τη σελίδα γιατί νόμιζα ότι κάτι κατάλαβα λάθος, αλλά κυρίως μία πολλή έξυπνη και με ένταση ιστορία.
Ήρωες γνωστοί, αγαπημένοι ή και όχι, που κατάφερε το συγγραφικό δίδυμο να μου μεταφέρει την αγωνία τους,τη απόγνωση και την βεβαιότητα ότι μπήκε ένα τέλος σε μία βεντέτα από τα παλιά. Μία ιστορία που κλείνοντας τότε το βιβλίο πιστεύαμε ότι είχε τελειώσει.Με τους Κέπλερ, δεν μπαίνει τέλος αν και σε κανουν να πιστέψεις το αντίθετο.
Αν αυτή η υπόθεση ήταν ότι καλύτερο έχω διαβάσει,Ανυπομονώ να δω τι μας επιφυλάσσει η επόμενη των συγγραφέων.
Χωρίς καμία υπερβολή θα πω ότι ήταν ένα από τα καλύτερα βιβλία που έχω διαβάσει γενικώς.

5/5
Profile Image for Dragana Zečević.
267 reviews15 followers
January 19, 2023
Bespotrebno vaskrsavanje lika koji je trebao da ostane u knjizi u kojoj je (navodno) bio ubijen.
Bespotrebno predstavljanje Jone Line kao vanzemaljca po pitanju vanserijske i izvanmoguće pameti. Čovjek je otkrio mjesto boravka Jureka Valtera po položaju zvijezda,i po tome što određena kuća na određenom području nije bila adekvatno ukrašena za vrijeme praznika. ( ????) WTF???
Ova ocjena samo zbog prvih 150strana gdje je knjiga itekako obećavala. Inače,ocjena manje.
Profile Image for Carin.
422 reviews1 follower
January 8, 2019
Erg goed boek.
Voorkant past heel goed bij het verhaal. Joona Linna gaat de strijd aan met naar wat lijkt zijn vijand Jurek Walter, seriemoordenaar en psychopaat. Maar die was toch overleden? Precies, dat dus. Copycat? Grote fan? Of toch Jurek Walter? Enorm spannend boek, echt tot het laatste stuk. Dikke 5 sterren.
Profile Image for Mollyvknize.
169 reviews367 followers
November 1, 2018
Upřímně jsem překvapená, jak se mi to líbilo! Joona ani v (tuším) sedmém díle neztrácí lesk.
Profile Image for Effie Saxioni.
722 reviews130 followers
August 17, 2021
Αρκετά υποδεέστερο σε σχέση με τα προηγούμενα της σειράς,η υπόθεση σώθηκε από τη μέση και κάτω.
3⭐
Profile Image for Silvie Leest.
1,608 reviews64 followers
March 20, 2023
In een appartement in Oslo wordt een dode man gevonden. Bij het openen van de vrieskist in zijn keuken doet de politie een vreselijke ontdekking: het slachtoffer blijkt een tot dan toe onbekende grafschenner te zijn en hij bewaarde er zijn trofeeën.
Enkele dagen later vraagt een Duitse collega Joona Linna om hulp bij het onderzoek naar een campingmoord bij Rostock.

Joona ziet een patroon opdoemen dat weliswaar krankzinnig is, maar dat hij onmogelijk kan negeren. Sommigen zouden van een wonder spreken als iemand terugkeert uit de dood – anderen van een nachtmerrie.

'Lazarus' is het zevende deel van de Joona Linna serie en deze las ik afgelopen week samen met @thebooksofwonder. Wederom was ik zeer te spreken over de inleiding van dit boek. De serie begint namelijk telkens met een zeer spannend begin en deze keer was het ook weer heftig. Hierdoor zit je dus al meteen lekker in het verhaal.

Ik kan niet teveel verraden vanwege spoilers, maar de nachtmerrie van Joona Linna komt helaas uit en hij moet er alles aan doen om deze tegen te houden, maar of hem dat op tijd lukt?

Dit zevende deel was voor mij meteen het beste deel tot op heden, want wat was dit een spannend, heftig en gruwelijk verhaal! Er vallen ontzettend veel slachtoffers en de manieren waarop zijn echt verschrikkelijk! Tot het einde blijft het spannend en er gebeuren ook een aantal onverwachtse (en treurige) dingen.

Ik ben dan ook zeer enthousiast over 'Lazarus' en heb mij geen enkel moment verveeld. Dit is echt het beste en spannendste deel en ik kijk uit naar 'Spiegelman', die we volgende maand weer samen gaan lezen.

Beoordeling: 4,5 ⭐️
Profile Image for Choco Con Churros.
836 reviews102 followers
December 3, 2022
Es un cuatro y medio. No sé si hago bien redondeando a la baja.
Estuve a punto de ponerle un 5 por ese final que me ha dejado... O por lo del padre de Saga. Giro tremendo que lo valía por sí mismo... pero bueno, durante toda la lectura ha sido un cuatro y... creo que voy a dejar de escribir esto para cambiar y ponerle el 5.
Ha mantenido la tensión desde el minuto cero sin decaer. Ha conseguido que no me relajara en ningún momento, sin dejar de sorprenderme una y otra vez. Cuando creías que ya sabías lo que vendría, la trama te mordía por donde menos te lo esperabas, haciéndote sufrir por ellos.
Y al final, con todo el pescado vendido, todavía ha conseguido volverme a sorprender, de la mejor (o peor, para los protagonistas) forma posible.
Jurek. Todo un señor "malo" de estos que engrandecen una novela.
Destripadoras.
Profile Image for Judy.
1,464 reviews116 followers
October 25, 2020
My first book by Lars Kepler (this is actually a pen name for husband and wife team Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril and Alexander Ahndoril). Although this was the seventh book in the Joona Linna series, it gave enough background so that it could easily stand alone - thank goodness since I hadn't read the others! I'm sure starting from the beginning of the series would be best in order to understand all the background nuances - I may go back and read the others because this was good!

Joona Linna is a Swedish policeman who has had some major experience with tracking serial killer Jurek. Jurek was finally killed, but some grisly murders have started occurring that are very reminiscent of Jurek's trademark killings. Joona is beginning to wonder if somehow Jurek didn't die - even though he was shot several times by Joona's partner, Saga.

This novel is dark and grisly and very action packed. The bodies are stacking up and tension builds dramatically. This one kept me turning the pages. Excellent work Lars Kepler!

Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Profile Image for Maja Ingrid.
535 reviews160 followers
October 31, 2019
This was much much better than Kaninjägaren!

I say this even though I hate the trope when the villain everyone thought was dead comes back. Even though for the reader it was sooooo effing obvious they were never dead. Like they never found Jurek's body when Saga shot him. Body suddenly turns up a year later by some dude who apparently burned the body (but took photos of it) but kept a finger. So with only one finger remaining everyone is like "omg he really is dead thank fucking god"

Only us smart people, the readers (and Joona), know it's way to suspicious and fast forward a couple of books, here we are.

It got very dark though and the stakes were high. The ending too went really dark for our characters in different ways. Actually looking forward for the eighth book!
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