Synopses & Reviews
Crime writer Erica Falck is shocked to discover a Nazi medal among her late mother's possessions. Haunted by a childhood of neglect, she resolves to dig deep into her family's past and finally uncover the reasons why. Her enquiries lead her to the home of a retired history teacher. He was among her mother's circle of friends during the Second World War but her questions are met with bizarre and evasive answers. Two days later he meets a violent death. Detective patrik Hedström, Erica's husband, is on paternity leave but soon becomes embroiled in the murder investigation. Who would kill so ruthlessly to bury secrets so old? Reluctantly Erica must read her mother's wartime diaries. But within the pages is a painful revelation about Erica's past. Could what little knowledge she has be enough to endanger her husband and newborn baby? The dark past is coming to light, and no one will escape the truth of how they came to be . . .
Review
"Fire and ice! Masterful suspense as compelling as secrets lying far beneath the dark sea. Läckberg is the perfect crime novelist who combines her gift for intriguingly complicated plots and a keen understanding of the 'grotesques' who live among us. Erotic and terrifying." Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
Review
"One of those mysteries that ruin a vacation. Take it to the beach and your eyes will be so locked on its pages, you'll never even know there's an ocean in front of you." Ann Rule, author of In The Still of the Night
Review
"Eerie. Läckberg will keep you guessing." People Magazine
Review
"If Camilla keeps producing mysteries as richly textured and downright breathtaking as her latest, who knows? Maybe, one day, we might be identifying Agatha Christie as 'the British Camilla Läckberg." Maureen Corrigan
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"Eerie. Läckberg will keep you guessing." The Washington Post
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"What could be darker than Nordic crime fiction? Nordic noir with Nazi war criminals!... You might want to think twice about reading this at home alone at night." People Magazine
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"There should be a better word for a mystery that runs on for 500-plus pages, stuffed with multigenerational back stories for key characters and detailed subplots about the domestic affairs of the married sleuths, their friends, colleagues and former spouses. How about calling it a historical-biographical-romantic-domestic-police-procedural-crime-and-love saga? Intriguing. Lackberg has whipped up a respectable plot." The New York Times Book Review
Review
"Of all the mini-Larssons who have arrived on these shores since , Sweden's Camilla Läckberg may be the best - more engaging than Henning Mankell, never as shrill or melodramatic as Jo Nesbo, as tight a plotter as Jussi Adler-Olsen. This is another terrific read." USA TODAY
Review
"Excellent. Horrific secrets come to light as the author skillfully shows how the past has influenced recent events." Crimespree Magazine
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"Of consistently high quality, well-plotted, carefully translated and well written. Highly recommended." NPR
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"Well-plotted, carefully translated and well written. Highly recommended." Midwest Book Review
Synopsis
The brilliant new psychological thriller from worldwide bestseller Camilla Läckberg--the chilling struggle of a young woman facing the darkest chapter of Europe's past.
About the Author
Camilla Läckberg worked as an economist in Stockholm until a course in creative writing triggered a drastic career change. Her novels have all been #1 bestsellers in Sweden, and she is the most successful native author in Swedish history. She was recently the #1 bestselling female author in Europe, and her novels have been sold in thirty-five countries. Her previous novels include The Stonecutter and The Hidden Child, which are available from Pegasus Books. Camilla lives in a suburb of Stockholm with her family.