I'm so mixed on this book. Plot-wise this was really intriguing, though also somewhat predictable and dragged at times. 
 The prose though... There has not been a single novel in which I have highlighted more amazing quotes per page than I have in this book. Zafon is truly a gifted writer. I'll go with a four, on the idea that plot would get about a 3 and the writing would get a 5.