The Drowning
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4.2 • 17 Ratings
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
Christian Thydell’s dream has come true: his debut novel, The Mermaid, has been published to rave reviews. So why is he as distant and unhappy as ever?When crime writer Erica Falck, who helped Christian discover and develop his talents, learns he has been receiving anonymous threats, she investigates not just the messages but also the young author’s mysterious past. Then, one of Christian’s closest friends, Magnus, goes 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. Within Christians group of friends—a "gang of four" from childhood—is a tangle of relationships, love triangles, and family secrets that Erica and Patrick must unravel to discover what really happened to Magnus and who is still threatening Christian.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?
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.
