SJÖJUNGFRUN – THE DROWNING

By Camilla Läckberg

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 become a disturbing reality. Christian’s group of friends—a “gang of four” from childhood—is a tangled web of relationships, love triangles, and family secrets that Erica and Patrick must unravel in order 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? What is the secret they would rather die to protect than live to see revealed?

First published by Forum, Sweden, 2008.
359 pages.

Sweden, Forum
Sweden, Bonnier Audio (audiobook)
Sweden/The Netherlands, Grote Letter
Albania, Dudaj
Arabic, Al Arabi Publishing and Distributing, Egypt
Bulgaria, Colibri
Bulgaria, Storytel
Canada, HarperCollinsCanada
Catalonia, Ara Llibres
China, Storytel
Czech Republic, Albatros Media
Denmark, People’s Press
Finland, Gummerus
France, Actes Sud
Germany, Ullstein
Greece, Metaixmio
Iceland, Sogur
Italy, Marsilio Editori
Japan, Shueisha
Lithuania, Jumava
The Netherlands, Ambo Anthos
Norway, Gyldendal
Poland, Czarna Owca
Portugal, Asa Leya
Romania, Editura Trei
Russia, Eksmo
Slovakia, Slovart
Slovenia, Ucila International
Spain, Maeva
Turkey, Dogan Egmont
UK, HarperCollins
US, Pegasus

Sweden, Tre Vänner

Mesmerising … It’s Lackberg’s particular skill to have created two of the most fully rounded characters in contemporary crime fiction, with a warmth that cuts right through the Nordic chill
Independent

Chilly, deceptive and lucid, just like the icy environment it describes
Literary Review

Läckberg’s subtle approach and unique talent for portraying realistically complex relationships creates a sorrowful, harrowing psychological thriller.
Booklist (starred review)

There is a good mystery in The Drowning. A fast-moving ending holds a cliffhanger as the last and final gasp. Entertaining.
Suspense magazine

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Fiction