Dirty Games

Oh, where do I even start? So many things happened in this book. I guess I'll have to start from the beginning. I already knew from my past experiences that when reading a Barbara Elsborg novel I have to be ready for high levels of anxiety, a lot of bad things happening, and a very tricky and complicated situation. Dirty Games did not disappoint. From the start I was both anxious and curious about what's going on. More curious than anxious, because a lot of things have been hinted at and there was no kind of explanation or context in sight. It almost frustrated me, but I knew that if I keep reading everything will become clear so that's what I did.

The first character we meet is Linton and I instantly loved Linton. He's so great, has only good intentions and life just doesn't want to cooperate with him. Soon after Linton we met Dirk who I disliked greatly at first, but warmed up to along the way. Next was Thorne who I don't really like. Well, I do, but... I have mixed feelings concerning him. Then there's Josh who I wouldn't have minded to see more in the novel, and then there's River who was so sweet. Who else? Ah, Pascal, and Max, and Owen, none of whom I liked. They were all awful.

I can't write this review chronologically because I keep thinking about the last few chapters. It was a long wait, but that's where everything comes together (obviously) and I can't write this without going back to the ending. So, okay, the story is enveloped in a fog and you don't really know what's going on until the end, and you might get frustrated along the way, you'll have questions, you'll start to piece things together and eventually start to realise what's happening and when you reach the end you realise everything kept building up and it erupts and then everyone is left to pick up the pieces and try to build everything in the correct order.

Linton is a victim in all this. He was trying so hard to fix Dirk, to help Owen, to please Max, to avoid Pascal, to love Thorne and I honestly don't know how he didn't simply give up. He was under tremendous stress, and when it all blew up in his face, when Thorne found out a part of the story and lashed out on Linton, I don't know how he didn't just crash. I don't know how he found the strength to keep going. Thorne was horrible to him. He was so selfish and cruel I don't know how Linton found it in his heart to forgive him. No, I do know, he's too good. Honestly, if Thorne treats him in any way than with kindness and love from now on, he's the worse and Linton is better off without him. Yes, I am not Thorne's biggest fan. I understand where he's coming from, but that doesn't excuse his behaviour and I was just so hurt for Linton. He did not deserve any of Thorne's harsh words.

Because the plot was revealed little by little, taking its sweet, sweet time, the last few chapters felt way too rushed. There was explanation after explanation and some of the characters suddenly started seeing reason and admitting to their wrong doings. Owen for one. He'd been so set on making Thorne suffer, but in between two conversations with Linton he suddenly accepted that him and Thorne were not meant to be. He also told Linton he didn't believe him when he said he'd been caught too that night, but next conversation they had he did believe him. Just like that. His sudden change of heart was so unrealistic, but I have to admit I am glad it did happen.

Dirty Games is not my favourite Barbara Elsborg novel and I'm wondering if I should rate it lower than the intended four stars. The build-up was great, but the ending was just too fast. I think the book could have benefited with a few extra chapters.