Ericka is a biography author struggling to complete her next book while dealing with the recent death of her parents. While out walking, a elderly man drags her up to the home of her childhood friend, Alexandra, where she finds her naked in a tub of ice, her wrists slashed and blood all over. She becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to Alex, uncovering 25-year-old secrets and becoming reacquainted with another childhood friend, Petrik, who happens to be a cop investigating the death. It was a great mystery, didn't see the end coming at all. Part of the book deals with Ericka's sister and her personal problems that didn't really have anything to do with the mystery but added to Ericka's overall angst. The resolution to those problems seemed a bit too neat for me. There were some other side stories involving the elderly man, an old teacher, etc., that I found distracting and far too much time spent on what the characters had for dinner. You expect that in a culinary mystery, which this isn't, and I found it a little annoying. But overall, it was a good book, darker than I usually like but very interesting look into people's mind and actions.
Rating: 4
Since Jennclair was so generous to give this book to me, I'm going to pass it along to someone else. If you're interested, leave a comment with your email address and I'll draw a name on August 15.
I wondered about whether or not it would be too dark for you. The Swedish books are usually on the dark side.
ReplyDeleteI do have a recommendation that might work for you though. Have you read any of the Martin Walker series about Bruno? Set in the French countryside with wonderful details and great characters. Bruno is a police chief in love with his village, the countryside, and the people. I picked up The Dark Vineyard from the new book shelf at the library and want to read the first two in the series.