I have come expect several things from Lars Kepler ; a fast paced plot, a complex mystery, and an extremely disturbed villain. The Rabbit Hunter is no exception, but what I love most about the series is how Kepler places Joona in extremely different circumstances with each book. In one book he is grieving, in another book he is personally under attack, in The Rabbit Hunter we find him in prison. Reading about Joona in these varying circumstances allows readers a full picture of his character.

In The Rabbit Hunter, we find Joona Linna in prison for aiding, abetting, and assault. Sweden’s Foreign Minister has been found dead in his home. His death signaling that other government officials could be in danger. The Prime Minister secures a temporary release for Joona so he can investigate the Foreign Minister’s murder. With the help of Saga Bauer, Joona discovers a motive more treacherous than terror…revenge.

Throughout the series we learn a lot about Joona and his past. However Kepler has still managed to make Joona mysterious and aloof. I still believe I have so much more to learn about Joona. Kepler gives readers more than enough to make sure they are invested in Joona but in many ways he remains an enigma.

The Rabbit Hunter begins with the murder of the Swedish Prime Minister. We do not catch up to Joona until about 50 pages into the book. I loved this timing. Experiencing the crime from the perspective of the witnesses and the victim allows readers to fully understand the terror inflicted by the killer. Learning about the crime through a 3rd party, such as a member of law enforcement would filter out the horror experienced by the victims. These first 50 pages of The Rabbit Hunter are the most chilling parts of the book; setting the tone for a complex murder investigation as well as allowing readers to connect with the victim. Readers then become invested in the capture of the killer.

To say I am eagerly awaiting the next installment of the Joona Linna series would be an understatement. Joona is a character who sticks with readers. The difficulties he faces while he investigates murders, the losses he endures, and his loyalty to the people he cares about, make readers root for him.

I have been a fan of Lars Kepler for a few years. I started with The Hypnotist and was immediately hooked. With the release of each new English translation, Kepler further cements my love of Scandinavian crime fiction with darkness, grit, and loads of red herrings ; keeping me enamored with Scandinavian crime fiction and Joona Linna.

Murder and Moore Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars

Book 6 in the Joona Linna series, and my second Lars Kepler novel, is a splendid, nail- biting thriller that will leave you breathless.

When the Swedish Foreign Minister is slaughtered in his own home in front of a living witness, Detective Joona Linna is released from prison to help solve a brutal murder case that is racking up victims faster than he can solve it. With the help of his former partner Saga Bauer, and other old and new characters, Joona is in a race with time and his freedom.

The story is told in several characters' perspectives which is surprisingly easy to follow along. The husband and wife team of Lars Kepler are formidable in their story telling. They have a way of drawing the reader into a maze of violence and vulnerability of the characters and keep you guessing until about three-quarters of the way through the book. My favorite character is the no-nonsense and extremely capable Agent Saga Bauer with her extreme outer beauty and minimalist life. Of course, Joona is a force to be reckoned with as well with his intense good looks, extreme intelligence, and uncanny ability to read a killer's mind.

The Rabbit Hunter is cunning and deadly, much like the killer. The story is extreme and unmerciful, and with true Swedish style, Lars Kepler follows the madness through the killer's eyes, as well as Detective Joona Linna's dogged determination to read the killer's next move. Even though this is Book 6 in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone.

If you want to read a horrifying and gripping suspense thriller with a staggering ending, please give this fantastic book a try.

Thank you to Lars Kepler for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

Fear stalks Stockholm in the Wake of a Serial Killer

Sofia Stefansson, a sometime prostitute, has a new client. Heading to his house, she’s not sure what she’ll encounter. She thinks she’s prepared, but not for what happens. A man enters the house, and brutally kills her client. She escapes, but is severely traumatized.

As more bodies pile up, the police are stymied. At first they think the motivation is political, because the Foreign Minister is a victim. However when the Swedish Secret Service has no success, the Prime Minister turns to ex-Detective Joona Linna who is serving time in a high security prison for events that happened in the previous novel. Joona suspects that the killings are motivated not by terrorism, but by events in the victim’s past.

This is a police procedural that will keep you on the edge of your seat. While the book is long, the plot is well paced so it keeps the momentum of the case going. Joona is an excellent character. He has outstanding observational skills and makes surprising deductions that move the hunt for the killer forward. In addition to Joona, there are other interesting characters: a woman hospitalized with mental issues, a celebrity chef, and his son who is filled with resentment against his father.

This is another excellent Nordic crime drama. It’s dark with plenty of violence. This is the sixth book in the series. I was able to follow the plot and characters, but I think familiarity with the earlier books would have been helpful in understanding Joona’s background. Still, the book can be enjoyed as a standalone.

I received this book from Knopf for this review.

Somewhere along the line this series really started to fizzle out for me. Perhaps it was the long wait for this book, but it definitely did not live up to my memories of the others. Too much repetitive language and everything seemed extremely drawn out.

The Rabbit Hunter by Lars Kepler is the first book I've read by this author duo. Yes, you read that correctly. The sixth book in their Joona Linna series is the first I've read. *insert face palm* In all fairness, I didn't realize this was an installation novel, and it was recommended by someone I highly admire. So I dove steadfast into the unknown, and I was pleasantly surprised. While I would absolutely recommend reading the books in order, I wasn't so lost or confused that I was pulled out of the story.

I really love the pacing of this story. It's fast-paced, with short chapters that help you blow through this 500+ page book in no time, and strong characters. The twists and turns seemed to never end, and the ending was absolutely jaw dropping. Overall, this was a total win for me. Now, to start over with book one... :)

I first want to give a Huge Thank You to NetGalley and Knopf Publishing for this opportunity! I first found this series when it was on the third book not knowing it was part of a series and fell in love. When I saw this book being offered I knew I had to try to get to read it because I needed to get my fix. I devoured this book! This book is just so very well written and keeps you on the edge of your seat!!!

The Rabbit Hunter is the sixth novel in the bestselling Joona Linna series by Lars Kepler, a husband and wife team from Stockholm, Sweden. This novel is translated by Neil Smith, who does an excellent job; readers won’t be aware that the book was written in another language because it is organized and flows like it was written in English. Joona Linna, who is in prison, is let out on a pass to pair up with Saga Bauer to investigate a series of murders where a nursery rhyme is played, then each victim is killed in a nineteen minute scenario. Joona and Saga are finally able to relate the murders to a woman who was raped repeatedly many years prior at a boarding school, and the victims are related to that rape. Most of the victims are living fairly ordinary, albeit mostly successful, lives, one happily married with children, one a famous television chef, one a well-known diplomat, and one a woman in a mental hospital, to name a few. All have been negatively affected by their time at the boarding school.

There are a few differences in this novel from the previous Joona Linna novels, in that there is a fair amount of sexual content – some necessary for telling the story, and some absolutely unnecessary, which is surprising and disappointing to those who’d rather keep their reading clean. The novel does contain graphic violence – horrible murders - which is upsetting, but gives the reader a sense of how important it is for the characters to solve the murders and for the powers that be to release Joona Linna from prison. Joona Linna and Saga Bauer are both unconventional protagonists – very different from those in American novels - and are well-developed by Kepler, as well as beloved by readers. The dénouement is, as usual surprising and well-calculated which keeps readers on their toes.

This novel is one that readers will be unable to put down. It is well-written, fascinating, and gives a different twist to the conventional thriller due to the Scandinavian setting and ambience. Fans will scramble to pick up this novel, and will dedicate a day or two to read it immediately, while anticipating the next in the series. Those who are not yet fans, are really missing a great series and should pick up the novels and read them in order. Highly recommended.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

The Rabbit Hunter by Lars Keplar is the 6th book in the Joona Linna series. This is the first time I have read this author, and The Rabbit Hunter was a psychological thriller that was extremely violent and dark. It is not for everyone, especially with so much violence. However, that being said it was very well written by Lars Keplar, and though it was difficult at times, I pushed to finish the book and find out how it ended.

The Rabbit Hunter immediately starts with a creepy violent murder of Sweden’s Foreign Minister, who mysteriously left a witness at the scene; though that witness could not identify the murderer, who wore a mask. Thinking this may be a terrorist attack, the Security Police ask Joona Linna for his help to see if the Prime Minister’s life was in danger, since the only name they get from the witness is in jail, where Joona happens to be. For another case, Joona was imprisoned for two years, and now the government is willing to free Joona, if he can help. He will work closely with his friend and former coworker on the Security Police, Saga Bauer. But things will go wrong, as another murder happens that has nothing to do with the politics and the government, Joona, much to Saga anger, is sent back to prison.

What follows is with Saga’s help, Joona is released and promised full pardon, to help find a serial killer, on a case that goes back 30 years. The main evidence is a child’s nursery rhyme about rabbits that prelude each murder. Joona discovers that those being murdered were involved in a brutal rape during their college years, and the murderer has some kind of connection.

I do not want to give spoilers, so not to ruin the story for you. The Rabbit Hunter was an intense, dark gripping story with brutal shocking murder scenes. The story was well written and flowed well, and was non-stop action from start to finish; though I did think at times I found myself a bit confused. The Rabbit Hunter is a thriller all the way, but be warned it is a dark gruesome story that may not be for everyone.

This is the sixth book of the Joona Linna series, but it’s the first one I’ve read and it can easily stand on its own. Now my interest is piqued and I must start at Book One, The Hypnotist. I always enjoy Swedish crime dramas, and this husband and wife writing team going by the pseudonym “Lars Kepler” certainly cranks out a taut thriller.
Joona is currently serving time for assaulting a police officer when he’s summoned by the Swedish prime minister and offered a deal he simply can’t refuse: work the case, reduce your sentence.
The case is a list of unrelated murders, but some of the methodologies of the crimes show it may be a serial killer. What could these victims have in common, though? They span from one level of income and upbringing to the other. As Joona and his partners try to find the common thread, the killer continues with a vengeance, carrying out the crimes in various unusual and cruel ways.
As a mental sketch begins to form, Joona realizes he’s grasping at straws but all other leads are coming up fruitless. This brings in my favorite aspect of this story: the reasoning that drives the killer would make anyone crazy. Not that the killer is justified, but it does add a sincere layer of compassion to the entire bloody plot. Well done, you clever Keplers!
(I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you to Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group and NetGalley for making it available.)

The Rabbit Hunter is part of the Joona Linna series. While it starts off with a HUGE bang and pulled my interest in immediately, by about 2/3rds of the way through, I found my mind drifting. This was a book I was super looking forward to, and I'm not saying it any way that it was bad. It just didn't hold my interest like I was expecting. I'll still read the other Linna books, of course.

The Rabbit Hunter publishes 1.14.2020.

3.5/5 Stars

This book was more spy thriller movie than police procedural book. Littered with graphic violence (which doesn't bother me) and improbable situations (which, when compounded across the rather large cast of characters and multiple instances of absolute ridiculous proportions, really DOES bother me), The Rabbit Hunter was just a complete mess, honestly.

I've read two other books from the Joona Linna series (The Hypnotist and Stalker), neither of which I particularly liked, but I keep wanting to give writing duo Lars Kepler another chance because their books are obviously so popular for a reason. Joona is too smart, too important, and too immortal for my taste. In every book I've read so far he suffers some grievous injury and continues moving on. He's also probably at least middle aged by this point (because there's no way he could possibly have this much life experience without at least that much life) and I find it hard to believe just how much he's able to put himself through.

As soon as a random side character got pushed through a storefront window and proceeded to slice open his jugular, I knew this book was not going to be for me.

I'm a big Lars Keppler fan and when this book came out in the English translation, I had to try to get it. It doesn't disappoint. True Scandanavian thriller that will leave you shivering and wanting more

This just wasnt for me as I found I was missing so much as haven't really read this author before and I think his work really needs to be read by specific people

There are so many reviews for this, I can't add any value except to recommend it to thriller fans.

I really appreciate the advanced copy for review!

Another stunner by the team of Lars Kepler. Great plot, good character development.
Always eager for their next book.

This is the 6th book in the Joona Linna series by the joint authors known as Lars Kepler. I have enjoyed this series from the very beginning having read the previous five books which although obviously helped me in my familiarity of the characters was not a necessity required to appreciate this book. It seems like a long time since I read the other books but didn't take me long to get back in the swing of the writing. This book is not for everyone and maybe a little more gruesome and explicit that some of the other popular novels available. The book is quite a lengthy book at 850+ pages but I did not find it slow or tedious, in fact it was full of action, suspense and kept me gripped throughout.
The book begins with the Swedish Foreign Minister been killed in strange circumstances. When the Security Police struggle to solve the mystery they decide to ask Joona Linna, a crime investigator who is serving time in a high security prison. Joona Linna is asked to track down the killer known as the rabbit hunter and in return will be released as a reward for his success. Linna is required to work fast as more victims are been killed and fear is growing in Stockholm streets. The only connection between the victims is that they all hear a child chanting a nursery rhyme about rabbits and exactly 19 minutes later, they are brutally murdered.
Joona Linna's investigations all lead back to events that happened 30 years ago and the rabbitt hunter is now sadistically killing people who were there.

A well paced novel that flowed well and kept me gripped throughout.

I would like to thank both Net Galley and Knopf for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. This book is so action packed. I expected to see smoke coming off the pages. Machetes to the neck, severed foot bouncing down church stairs, dear lord. I got so into this book I jumped a few times when things happened.

Lars Kepler books just keep getting better and better.

The storyline was excellent as were the characters, especially my lovely Joona Linna. Boy, I love that character. The last quarter of the book seemed to lose some precision of the story line. Just a little scattered to me. But still good. One major character, Janus, seemed to just float in and out then sort of forgotten. And they could have eliminated chapter 98. Still great story though.

The ending presumably leads you to the next book and I can't wait.

I have to say I enjoyed every minute of this book. The story centres on a twisted killer working ruthlessly to his own agenda, and the only man who can stop him is police detective Joona Linna. Although this is the sixth book in the series it is my first encounter with Joona and his past has very much determined where he is when the story starts. However I didn't find that it affected my reading of the story and has only made me more keen to dive into the first five books to find out what happened to him. One of the best books I have read in a long time.

If it’s grisly and gruesome you’re after, then the opening chapters of this book are going to give you all that and more! Jeepers, for those of a nervous disposition then this book might be worth just reading the reviews or at least the other books in the series to get you used to the style and substance!

Joona Lina, the main character of the series, is in prison when the book opens. When and how, others books explain (another good reason to read the others first) and then she gets a case where her expertise is going to help in the most bizarre way. What a case! The Swedish Foreign Minister is murdered and the city of Stockholm is left in fear.

If a book ever delved into the rotting underbelly of a city, then this is it. It’s a belly whose insides are rotting raw flesh which turns your stomach and makes you feel sick. But it’s compelling reading too…

The Rabbit Hunter of the title is the most horrific sounding and horrific in every other way serial killer in a book in my mind. Victims all hear the children recite a nursery rhyme about rabbits before the killer comes. You wouldn’t want to go to Stockholm for a booktrail anytime soon after this! Certainly not go anywhere where you might see a rabbit…

Effective but scary and visceral

Scandi Noir dialled up to the max!

Lars Kepler has written another page turner. He never fails to keep you guessing and your pulse racing. I highly recommend all of his books to mystery lovers. .