The Drowning
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4.4 • 81 Ratings
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
Swedish crime sensation and No. 1 international bestseller, Camilla Lackberg’s new psychological thriller – for fans of Stieg Larsson and Jo Nesbo
Christian Thydell’s dream has come true: his debut novel, The Mermaid, is published to rave reviews. So why is he as distant and unhappy as ever?
When crime writer Erica Falck discovers that Christian has been receiving anonymous threats, she investigates not just the messages but also the author’s mysterious past…
Meanwhile, one of Christian’s closest friends is missing. Erica’s husband, Detective Patrik Hedström, has his worst suspicions confirmed as the mind-games aimed at Christian and those around him become a disturbing reality.
But, with the victims themselves concealing evidence, the investigation is going nowhere. Is their silence driven by fear or guilt? And what is the secret they would rather die to protect than live to see revealed?
Reviews
Praise for Camilla Lackberg:
‘Mesmerising … It’s Lackberg’s particular skill to have created two of the most fully rounded characters in contemporary crime fiction, with a warmth that cuts right through the Nordic chill’ Independent
‘Lackberg is an expert at mixing scenes of domestic cosiness with blood-curdling horror… a must for white-knuckle junkies’ Guardian
‘Läckberg is particularly good at portraying the claustrophobia of a small community in which everyone knows everyone else and the police may well be friends with killers’ The Times
‘Camilla Lackberg is probably the hottest female writer in Sweden at the moment… Lackberg’s job is to make the reader pleasurably uncomfortable – one of her ironclad skills’ Barry Forshaw, Independent
‘Chilly, deceptive and lucid, just like the icy environment it describes’ Literary Review
‘Both chilling and thrilling’ Sun
‘Heart-stopping and heart-warming, The Ice Princess is a masterclass in Scandinavian crime writing’ Val McDermid
About the author
Camilla Lackberg is a worldwide bestseller renowned for her brilliant contemporary psychological thrillers. Her novels have sold over 20 million copies in 55 countries with translations into 37 languages.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
L ckberg's uneven sixth novel set in the Swedish town of Fj llbacka (after 2014's The Hidden Child) opens promisingly enough with the baffling disappearance of family man Magnus Kjellner, in circumstances suggesting payback for some horrific long-past crime. Writer Erica Falck subsequently discovers that one of Magnus's best friends, Christian Thydell an overnight sensation with a debut novel that Erica helped edit has been receiving threatening letters. Even pregnant with twins, Erica naturally can't resist trying to investigate. Tension quickly mounts with flashbacks to the increasingly toxic childhood of a mystery boy, a foster child placed with a couple who no longer want him after they have a daughter of their own. Despite the book's many strengths, including a rich community of characters, dramatic scenes of violence, and a haunting tone, the psychologically fishy plot fails to convince. A stunning cliffhanger climax suggests that next time around might be better.
Customer Reviews
The Drowning
A really intriguing read, takes a little while to get used to jumping from one character to the other, however, it keeps you in suspense right up to the end. Only one criticism, would really like to know what happens to Patrick? Please don't keep us waiting too long for the follow up story!!
The Drowning - Camilla Läckberg
This was written by a Swedish author, and took me a long time to read. I’m not sure why, the English seemed fine, the story more than ok.
The central character, Christian, is a new author with a brand new book, which interests another nearby author of crime novels - and so the story begins.
He’s had a tormented past and caused a bit too. But he’s now a family man, and has finished his first book, and out of his past come the demons.
The story is a slow burn, has a lot of different characters, many never really get developed they just ‘do their stuff’. The aforementioned crime writer seems to inject themselves just about anywhere and doesn’t get in trouble. Towards the end a number of people appear to figure things out, but what they figure doesn’t get presented to us - we realise they know, but don’t KNOW what they know. Mind you I’d figured it all out about 70% of the way through anyway.
A better than good, but not great, book 3/5
The Drowning
Completely gripping. Read in two days. Cannot wait for the next installment.