Acclaimed Swedish author Camilla Grebe makes her solo American debut with a psychological thriller as cunning in its twists as it is captivating in its storytelling—for fans of the celebrated crime fiction of Camilla Läckberg, Jo Nesbø, Ruth Ware, and Fiona Barton. Winter’s chill has descended on Stockholm as police arrive at the scene of a shocking murder. An unidentified woman lies beheaded in … lies beheaded in a posh suburban home—a brutal crime made all the more disturbing by its uncanny resemblance to an unsolved killing ten years earlier. But this time there’s a suspect: the charismatic and controversial chain-store CEO Jesper Orre, who owns the home but is nowhere to be found.
To homicide detectives Peter Lindgren and Manfred Olsson, nothing about the suave, high-profile businessman—including a playboy reputation and rumors of financial misdeeds—suggests he conceals the dark heart and twisted mind of a cold-blooded killer. In search of a motive, Lindgren and Olsson turn to the brilliant criminal profiler Hanne Lagerlind-Schön. Once a valued police asset, now marooned in unhappy retirement and a crumbling marriage, she’s eager to exercise her keen skills again—and offer the detectives a window into the secret soul of Jesper Orre.
But they’re not the only ones searching. Two months before, Emma Bohman, a young clerk at Orre’s company, chanced to meet the charming chief executive, and romance swiftly bloomed. Almost as quickly as the passionate affair ignited, it was over when Orre inexplicably disappeared. One staggering misfortune after another followed, leaving Emma certain that her runaway lover was to blame and transforming her confusion and heartbreak into anger.
Now, pursuing the same mysterious man for different reasons, Emma and the police are destined to cross paths in a chilling dance of obsession, vengeance, madness, and love gone hellishly wrong.
Praise for The Ice Beneath Her
“Exceptional.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Impressive . . . a tour de force that lifts its author to the front rank among the increasingly crowded field of Nordic noir.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“The Ice Beneath Her deserves to be called a page-turner—I read it in one sitting! The narrative is fast-paced and the twists superb.”—Cecilia Ekbäck, bestselling author of Wolf Winter
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Set in Sweden. Police solving of a murder. Murder mystery.
If you enjoy thrillers it was quite enjoyable
Although the twist was completely unexpected, once it happened, the rest of the book was pretty predictable. Felt a bit contrived. But I finished it, more than I can say for many books. I did care about the outcome.
“You never know friend from foe, till the ice beneath gives way.”
If that quote isn’t an attention grabber for the start of a new novel, I’m not sure what is!
Most people who read Scandinavian crime fiction or nordic noir come to expect some seriously dark material. The Ice Beneath Her is dark but nowhere near as dark as many novels of the same genre. When a decapitated body is discovered inside the home of a wealthy clothing company CEO, a slew of questions arise. Who is the nameless victim? Where has the owner of the house disappeared to? Does the gruesome murder have any connection to an eerily similar unsolved murder committed a decade ago?
The story is told through alternating viewpoints of 3 main characters. Peter, the police officer assigned to investigate the crime, is struggling in his personal life. He has never been able to commit to anyone and now lives a lonely, rather isolated life. Hanne, a behavioral psychologist who has recently learned some devastating health news, is asked to consult on the case since she helped with profiling on the similar murder committed 10 years ago. Finally, there’s Emma. Emma is the attention grabber. Her backstory is quite sad and traumatic and it’s easy to feel sympathetic towards her when the man she loves asks her to marry him and then disappears from her life on the night of their engagement dinner.
This a good read. It’s intriguing. Are the narrators reliable? Can they see past their own problems to get to the bottom of the murders? The thing I liked perhaps the best about the book is the subtle but significant effect mothers have on all the characters. In many ways, the story is a bit of a study on mother-child bonding and dysfunction.
While I think it becomes apparent why the murders occur and who committed them about half way through the book, the lead up to the actual events is captivating. I also loved the ending! I would definitely recommend this book to others. It’s worth the read.
As a fan of Scandinavian Noir I was anxious to read this book. It didn’t disappoint. I guessed the correct killer but had all the wrong reasons. Very well done.
Interesting debut novel, the repeated change of viewpoint was interesting and the plot was gripping – I find it a bit frustrating when a key part of the mystery remains mysterious at the end.
I loved this book and couldn’t put it down.
A solid, entertaining “whodunnit.” I figured out the who early on, but not the why. Some characters are rather unlikeable, but the story is worth staying with it.
I’m not a fan of this style of narrative. I can’t say more without revealing plot lines but I prefer mysteries to be more straightforward. Others may enjoy the twisted presentation. I thought the writing was quite good.
Can’t Beattie Scandinavian mystery writers. Great character development