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There are currently 39 member reviews
for Three Seconds
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Dorothy M. (Owatonna, MN)
Three Seconds
To stop a branch of Eastern European mafia from taking control of amphetamines in prisons, Swedish officials decide to use former criminal as covert informers. "You have to be a criminal to play a criminal" gives us Piet Hoffman who is the undercover cop in this situation.Although it is hard from him to keep thoughts of his family out of his mind, he realizes if he is fingered as an infiltrator, he will have "three seconds" to protect himself.
In the contrasting role is Det. Inspector Evert who is investigating a drug related killing, not knowing his suspect is working as an undercover cop. Grens' success record is outstanding, but now forces within the justice system are holding out on him.
Excellent characterization and ingenious plot make this an easy book to recommend to mystery lovers. It has been added to my favorite Scandinavian mystery authors.
Book club members might like to raise the question "Does the end justify the means".
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Beth F. (Bloomfield Hills, MI)
Three seconds
I loved this book. It was a page turner from the first page to the last.... Great characters with a plot that has an unusual twist. A great read!
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Joanne V. (Towanda, PA)
Great read for crime buffs
I really enjoyed this book, learned a lot about the Swedish police system, it is fast paced and suspenseful. My only criticism is that it really needs to be tightened up or maybe the translation is the issue. I was distracted by repetitive detail and thought that a good editing job would have helped. But I totally enjoyed it and would recommend it to other crime fiction readers.
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Steve B. (Spring, TX)
Three Seconds by Roslund & Hellstrom
I had somewhat of a problem keeping up with the cast of characters. This was probably due to my lack of familiarity with Swedish names.
The book got off to a rather slow start, but once I got into it, it was very gripping.
The story has so many plot twists and intricacies that I think it would be even more interesting if I were to read it again. I think I may just do that.
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Les G. (Fort Collins, CO)
Swedish thriller
Three Seconds is an interesting look at how the Swedish police operate a criminal informant, and react to corruption related to the informant. It is an exciting book that builds suspense throughout the story.
I found it very interesting that things like the use of a criminal informant that would draw very little suspicion in the US, are taken very seriously in Sweden. Several times I found myself unable to understand why the Swedes were getting all upset about actions that most likely would not have raised any questions in the US.
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Norma R. (secaucus, NJ)
Suspense in Sweeden
I enjoyed reading Three Seconds by Roslund and Hellstrom. The novel details the story of a drug informant, Piet Hoffman, whose life goes terribly wrong while trying to infiltrate the drug trade. The police abandon Hoffman and he is left to save himself.
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Debra P. (Belmont, NC)
Intriguing
I found this translation a little choppy at times. Although mysteries are not my first choice I wanted to stretch! If you are a mystery buff, this will be a great thriller and fast paced read..one learns lots about Swedish culture, particularly drug and prison.
