I read this book at the height of my Scandinavian thriller period, several years ago, and while I liked all book in the series, this one was always my favourite.

 

When a young girl is found murdered, the investigation only leads to more suspects and motives as time goes by...

 

But I tried to re-imagine just what made this one better than the others, and honestly, I can't be sure. The story is decent, as are most of the others, and there's the mixture between suspense and domestic story that is just right. It is a delightfully quick read, and especially to this novel I look back with very warm feelings.

 

Note: I read a Dutch translation of this book

This, the third entry into the Fjallbacka series, reminded me quite a lot in feel of John Ajvide Lindqvist's 'Harbor' - but without the supernatural aspects.

As with the previous two books, Lackberg's story centers on a grisly death which, under investigation, turns out to hinge upon the unsavory secrets of the past.

I did feel that this one suffered a bit from too much pop psychology.

One of the characters is described as suffering from DAMP - which I'd never heard of. Turns out it's a concept popular only in Sweden, and describes characteristics which, in America, are more popularly referred to as ADHD. "DAMP" is the concept of Swedish psychiatrist Christopher Gillberg, and I have a feeling that Lackberg did quite a bit of reading up on his ideas for this book, because she also has a character with 'Asperger's Syndrome.' The way he's described sounds more like he's fully autistic, rather than mildly - but his character seems like it was formed straight from Gillberg's description of Asperger's, rather than from Lackberg having ever met anyone like the character.

It's an interesting insight into how even slightly different cultures may perceive issues of mental health quite differently.

It's still a good, solid book - but not quite as good as the previous two.

Very easy reading, if you can avoid thinking too hard about all the murders and other cruelty and stuff, but not mindless by any means. Very focused on parent-child relationships. Quite a lot of talk about evil people - but this is a bit misleading as it's more evil emerging out of evil done to people rather than people being evil in themselves. Or maybe I'm just putting my own thoughts into it. Anyway I liked all the different strands of story. Must have liked it because after I finished this book I immediately started reading the next one in the series....