This is the first novel in a series that has been on my personal radar for some time. What clinched the deal for me was the fact that this title was chosen by my ‘in-person’ bookclub as their read for May. The good news? I loved it !!! The bad news? There are now TEN novels in this series, so I have some serious catching up to do.
“A thin sheet of ice had formed in the bathtub. She had begun to take on a slightly bluish tinge. He thought she looked like a princess lying there. An ice princess.”
Set in the picturesque Swedish town of Fjällbacka, the series begins as an older resident of the town discovers a body in the house where he is acting as caretaker. Panic and shock drive him out into the road where he enlists the aid of Erica Falck. Erica knows at once that the body is that of her childhood friend, Alexandra. It would appear that despite her successful marriage and work, she has committed suicide.
Fjällbacka, Sweden
Erica has temporarily moved back to Fjällbacka to settle the affairs of her parents who have recently died in a car accident. At thirty-five years of age, she is single, and a writer who has written several biographies, though her latest book is presenting a challenge. She is happy to be back in the town where she grew up and barely misses her Stockholm flat.
“As a writer, she preferred to observe reality from a distance.”
Erica’s younger sister Anna lives nearby. She is married to an abusive and controlling man and has two young children. Anna’s husband Lucas wants the family home sold and Anna is meekly going along with him. Erica is vehemently opposed to the sale of her parents home. It holds many happy memories for Erica, not to mention it is very valuable and has a stunning view of the sea and surrounding islands.
As the investigation into Alex’s suicide begins, Erica is reunited with another childhood friend, Patrik Hedström. Patrik is now a policeman, and was recently divorced. The two are immediately attracted to one another, but for Patrik a former attraction was rekindled. Erica was his first love.
The investigation quickly turns from suicide to murder, and Patrik enlists Erica’s help in solving the case. This is a small town and both Patrik and Erica know most of the residents. An autopsy has shown that Alex was three months pregnant at the time of her death.
“You should never underestimate the need not to make waves in a small town.”
Anders, an alcoholic artist, Nelly Lorentz, the matriarch of the leading family in town, Alex’s younger sister Julia, Vera, a hardworking housekeeper, and many other colourful and not so savory characters come to the notice of the police. Poor Patrik is working almost single-handed. The few Fjällbacka police are an unambitious lot, and his boss/nemisis Superintendent Bertil Mellberg, is a self-serving, pompous prig who wants to claim all the glory while doing none of the work.
The son of the Lorentz family disappeared without a trace twenty-five years ago. How does that tie in with the murder of Alex?
Meanwhile, Alex’s parents have asked Erica to write a commemorative article about her life…
A book of crime incited by family secrets, parental love, and ‘keeping up appearances’.
This is precisely the type of mystery/thriller that I like the most. It has an interesting mystery story, a picturesque and atmospheric setting, and, above all, it has endearing and empathetic characters. There are nine more titles in this series and I plan to read each and every one solely because I bonded with the characters so well.
Highly recommended!
The only quibble I have with this book is that the cover just doesn’t seem to fit the story. The body was found in a bathtub. Surely you wouldn’t have gloves in a bathtub? Did the people who designed the cover even read the story??? I’ve seen other covers for this novel that seem to fit the story better.
In 2017 Camilla Läckberg wrote her tenth Story in her series of crime novels set in her home town of Fjällbacka on the west coast of Sweden. Writer Erica Falck and detective Patrik Hedström are at the centre of the action. Together they solve murders linked to the history of the small fishing community. Camilla Läckberg writes crime novels with a filmic quality; they are a perfect blend of everyday life and excitement, which has brought her millions of readers all over the world.
Fictionophile 
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Wonderful review Lynne. I probably should not add anymore to my TBR but this sure has me wanting to check it out. My grandfather on my dad’s side was born in Sweden and that is somewhere I have always wanted to go. Maybe if I read about the area, it will get me to travel there. After reading what Annika said, I hope it happens. I may check and see if the US or Canadian Amazon has it on sale.
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I hope you get the opportunity to read it Carla. Thanks for your kind words.
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I just looked on Amazon and the kindle version is actually more expensive than the paperback. I think my library has this one so I will read it that way.
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I’m in favour anytime anyone uses the library. 😊📚♥️
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Great review Lynne, you’re the same as me, I’ve been meaning to start this series for ages! I will do it this year, I WILL! 🤔
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It definitely sounds like a winner; great review. My Swedish relatives live not far from there, actually. She is definitely a prolific author and a very pretty one as well.
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From reading her bio I would say she is probably a Type A personality. Beautiful, on her second career, writes fiction, children’s books AND cookbooks. Wow!
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Ps. For anyone in the U.K., I just bought this at a reduced price of £0.99 – saving eight pounds!
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Lynne, your superb and enticing review clinches it for me! I must read this! I often visit Fjällbacka and absolutely love the the town, the rocks, the islands around it. Ingrid Bergman owned an island just west of here and it was her favourite place in the world … and I’m close to agreeing with her! There are many Camilla Läckberg tours … maybe next time I can join one and know what they’re talking about. The Ice Princess sounds riveting and one to read soon. Who knows by this summer I might have even made it to a second one in the series ( how does she write so fast?!!)
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Oh I’m SO jealous Annika. I would love to visit Fjällbacka. It reminds me of fishing villages in my home province of Nova Scotia. ♥ I’ll be eager to hear what you think of the series.
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Just to make you more jealous, there is a wonderful restaurant just by the harbour, the tables on the decking over the sea … heavenly way to spend an afternoon, glass of cold drink, delicious meal, staring out to the islands. Ahh… not a murder in sight!
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You’re mean….Just kidding. Enjoy. I hope you blog all about your visit.
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Ha! I read this about three years ago, loved it and swore I’d catch up with the series. Number 2 has been waiting on my Kindle ever since… thanks for the push! 😉
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LOL. You’re welcome.
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Great review, Lynne: it’s on my TBR already!
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Definitely worth the read Skye.
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I read this book a few years ago and I loved it.
My friend introduced me to these books and she almost finished the series. Apparently it just keeps getting better 😀
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That is excellent news Norrie. I want to read the second novel in the series right away but sadly I have other reading/reviewing commitments. It will be hard to follow this series in the manner I would like.
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Awesome post 😍
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Thanks so much. 😊
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