The Ice Princess
A Novel
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4.0 • 180 Ratings
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
In this electrifying Scandinavian thriller from an international crime-writing sensation, a grisly death exposes the dark heart of a seaside village. Erica Falck returns to her tiny, remote hometown of Fjällbacka, Sweden, after her parents’ deaths only to encounter another tragedy: the suicide of her childhood best friend, Alex. It’s Erica herself who finds Alex’s body—suspended in a bathtub of frozen water, her wrists slashed. Erica is bewildered: Why would a beautiful woman who had it all take her own life?
Teaming up with police detective Patrik Hedström, Erica begins to uncover shocking events from Alex’s childhood. As one horrifying fact after another comes to light, Erica and Patrik’s curiosity gives way to obsession—and their flirtation grows into uncontrollable attraction. But it’s not long before one thing becomes very clear: a deadly secret is at stake, and there’s someone out there who will do anything—even commit murder—to protect it.
Fans of Scandinavian noir and authors like Stieg Larsson and Henning Mankell will devour Camilla Läckberg’s penetrating portrait of human nature at its darkest.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
At the start of L ckberg's haunting U.S. debut, the first of her seven novels set in the Swedish coastal town of Fj llbacka, biographer Erica Falck returns home to sort through her deceased parents' belongings and work on her next book. But this is not the same hometown she grew up in. Summer tourists are turning the former fishing village into a thriving resort, and Erica's controlling brother-in-law is pressuring her to cash in by selling the family home. The apparent suicide of childhood friend Alexandra Wijkner contributes to Erica's grief. Once inseparable, they drifted apart before Alex's family abruptly moved away, and Erica feels compelled to write a novel about why the beautiful Alex would kill herself. L ckberg skillfully details how horrific secrets are never completely buried and how silence can kill the soul. A parallel between the town's downward spiral and the fate of one of Fj llbacka's wealthiest families adds texture.
Customer Reviews
Ok
A good story but the writing, and/or the translation leave a little to be desired. Still, I would recommend it. Just not the best I've ever read.
Highly recommend!
I have read all of the Camilla Lackberg books that have been translated into English. She is an amazing woman with characters you grow to love and genuinely care about. All the stories are different but involve the same characters. Her books are so popular in Sweden that there is a television series BASED on her books called The Fjallbacka Murders. READ THEM ALL.
Disappointing
This book is probably good for those who like the "Murder She Wrote" kind of crime story. I was vastly disappointed because I know Lackburg is Sweden's most popular crime novelists. This was my first try at one of her books. There are an astounding number of great crime writers in Sweden and Scandinavia right now, but this author doesn't begin to approach there skill. Try Karin Fossum, Jo Nesbo, Ake Edwardson, Arnalder Indridason and of course the highly successful Stieglitz Larsson for starters, if you want to read really good Scandinavian crime books.