Published May 23rd, 2024 by Hemlock Press
Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Police Procedural, Crime Series
Today is my stop on the blog tour for this dark, tense and unflinching scandi noir. Thank you to Libby at Harper Fiction for the invitation to take part and for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
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ABOUT THE BOOK:
Detective Patrik Hedström and Erica Falck are back, in an irresistible Scandi crime thriller for fans of Jo Nesbo and Lars Kepler.
A community torn apart
As a heavy mist rolls into the Swedish coastal town of Fjällbacka, shocking violence shakes the small community to its core. Rolf Stenklo, a famous photographer, is found murdered in his gallery. Two days later, a brutal tragedy on a private island leaves the prestigious Bauer family devastated.
A town full of secrets
With his boss acting strangely, Detective Patrik Hedström is left to lead the investigation. Tensions rise threatening cracks in the team of officers at Tanumshede police station and pressure mounts as the press demand answers.
A reckoning in blood
In pursuit of inspiration for her next true-crime book, Patrik’s wife Erica Falck leaves behind their three children and travels to Stockholm to research the unsolved decades-old murder of a figure from Rolf’s past. As Erica searches for the truth, she realizes that her mystery is connected to Patrik’s case. These threads from the past are woven into the present and old sins leave behind long shadows.
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MY REVIEW:
The Swedish Coastal town of Fjällbacka is rocked to its core by the murder of Rolf Stenklo, the famous photographer. They are still reeling when just two days later another brutal tragedy shakes them further when three members of the prestigious Bauer family are found slain on a private island. Patrik Hedström is called in to head up the investigations and under pressure to get answers quickly. Meanwhile, Patrik’s wife. Erica, has found inspiration for her next true-crime book and is investigating the decades-old murder of someone from Rolf’s past. As she digs further it becomes clear that the two cases are connected and the past comes back to haunt those who hoped their secrets were buried forever.
The Cuckoo is the eleventh book in the Patrik Hedström and Erica Falck series, but it was my introduction to both the series and its author, Camilla Läckberg. I am a big fan of Scandi Noir so I have no idea how I’ve gone so long without reading this author. Dark, sinister, tense and filled with shocking twists, this kept me on the edge of my seat. Told from multiple points of view, it moved seamlessly between dual timelines to reveal an intricately woven story of secrets, murder and revenge. This isn’t a book for the faint of heart. There are some brutal and grisly crime scenes, though it is never graphic. Läckberg addresses timely topics, featuring a transgender woman and her unsolved murder in the past thread. This was handled sensitively but honestly and it felt like she’d done a lot of research to get things right. While I enjoyed both threads of the story, I’ll admit the past thread was the one I found most compelling. I was captivated by Lola and her daughter, Petite, and desperate to know what happened to them. In the present, I became more invested as the kill count increased and it became obvious someone was out for revenge. But why? And who could it be? I loved that I found this so hard to predict, with the last third being particularly twisty and surprising. And that ending! I’m still reeling.
Patrik Hedström and Erica Falck are great protagonists and I liked that Erica was a writer rather than another police officer, giving an added intrigue to the story. They are likeable, relatable and easy to root for, though I’ll admit to having a particular affinity with Erica thanks to our love of true crime. There is a large cast of characters who are all richly drawn and fascinating, but it took me a little time to get them straight. That being said, it wasn’t a problem reading this as a standalone as Läckberg succinctly catches the reader up on any relevant information.
Suspenseful, ominous and unflinching, this fast-paced scandi noir is a must for anyone who enjoys a dark thriller. I will definitely be reading more from Ms. Läckberg.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰
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MEET THE AUTHOR:
Camilla Läckberg is one of the world’s most popular crime authors. She debuted in 2003 with The Ice Princess and has since published another ten novels in the popular Fjällbacka Series. With her new suspense series about entrepreneur Faye Adelheim Camilla took yet another step in her authorship. Today her books have sold more than 35 million copies and can be read in over 60 countries. She has also written short stories, novellas, children’s fiction, movie scripts and song lyrics.
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BUY THE BOOK:
Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*
*These links are affiliate links
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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx
Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the blog tour.
Emma's Biblio Treasures 