What do the new arrivals on Sandhamn Island have to fear? Their own secrets—in this gripping novel of suspense by the bestselling author of In the Heat of the Moment.The new summer house on Sandhamn Island is an architectural dream for its owner, Carsten Jonsson. It’s a nightmare for the locals. The venture capitalist has flouted local traditions, property lines, and the natural beauty of the … natural beauty of the coastline. He’s also too wealthy and arrogant to heed the anonymous warnings to leave. The threats escalate when his guest lodge is burned to the ground and an unidentifiable corpse is found in the charred ruins.
Detective Inspector Thomas Andreasson isn’t sure if it’s murder or a tragic accident. Until his friend attorney Nora Linde is drawn into the investigation. Nora’s emotional investment in Carsten’s fragile and fearful wife, Celia, is yielding a new level of suspicion: that the Jonssons are hiding more than anyone can imagine. Now Thomas and Nora must sift through the ashes of a puzzling crime and step into the shadows of a powerful family, whose deadly secrets are coming to light on Sandhamn.
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An Intriguing Approach To A Murder Mystery
This is the second novel in a row that I have read that the murder does not start at or very near to the start of the novel. The murder doesn’t occur until 40% into the novel. By this time the reader has much information on the characters, their personalities, and the relationships between them. I rather enjoy this unusual approach.
The novel opens in the past with the physical and verbal bullying of a student. This is the genesis of the events that unfold in this novel. The novel jumps to 2013 in which the novel is set. Maria the nanny for Carsten and Celia Jonsson is the victim of a gasoline vapor explosion. Then, the action shifts to Sandhamn Island. The reader will see Carsten’s unrelenting drive to show his success, his source of funding to build a large house on Sandhamn, and how his neighbor fights Carsten. The tension mounts within his family, on the island and internationally.
This is only the second novel in these series that I read. The other was the first book in the series. The only characters I recognize from that novel is Thomas Andreasson, a police detective, who now as a life changing decision to make, and Nora Linde, who changed jobs. The B-storyline centers most on these two characters and their families and their future. Generally, for me, the B-storyline is icing on the cake, but in this novel, it captured my attention. In fact, some of the B-storyline threads merge with main storyline threads at times. Another reason may be because the first 40% was telling a story that I knew was going to result in a murder, but didn’t have the normal suspense to capture my attention.
There are a few F-bombs and even fewer of less vulgar language. There is some violence, but not emphasized or titillating. There was hint to sexual activity. Overall, I believe most readers will not be offended. Next, this is translated from Swedish by the same person who translated the first book. My criticism of the first book was the use of idiomatic British term that sounded out of place in a Swedish setting. The translation never caused me any concern with this book. Lastly, as the sixth novel in the series, will not reading the previously novels hinder the enjoyment in reading this novel. As I did not read the intervening five novels, I’m almost in the same boat. I did do not believe I was so hindered. The author provides adequate backfill. Lastly, reading this novel on an e-reader was of great benefit for at least ready access to the Internet to find the various locations in Sweden.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this novel. I liked the murder occurring near the middle of the novel as this method provides a much deeper insight into the main characters of the novel. Overall, I rate this novel with four stars.
I have received a free kindle version of this novel through NetGalley from Amazon Crossing with an expectation for an honest, unbiased review. I wish to thank Amazon Crossing for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
My grandfather was from Sweden, and I visited for the first time recently. Though we did not stop on any of these islands, we did visit by boat. So I have thoroughly enjoyed the series as a way of knowing more about the culture.
Got lost in the midst of party plans. Lacks movement.
Evil protagonist in a handsome man; brutal.