Book Review: The Preacher by Camilla Läckberg

We get so caught up in the American publishing world being so vast, that often we don;t get to hear about great foreign authors until the foreign movie of their book is remade for American audiences. Frequently it is a shame, and I was thrilled to find out about this book, and be able to review it for you! 

This is a series I will be reading all of, as soon as I find English translations! The third book, The Stonecutter, premier's it's English translation in May! If you read Swedish, then there are 9 books in this series!

Synopsis:  In the sequel to The Ice Princess, a series of sadistic murders spanning two generations remains unsolved—and time is running out for the next victim.

In the fishing community of Fjallbacka, life is remote, peaceful, and for some, tragically short. Foul play was always suspected in the disappearance twenty years ago of two young campers, but their bodies were never found. But now, a young boy out playing has confirmed the grim truth. Their remains are discovered alongside those of a fresh victim, sending the tiny town into shock. Local detective Patrik Hedstrom, expecting a baby with his girlfriend Erica, can only imagine what it is like to lose a child. When a second young girl goes missing, Hedstrom’s attention focuses on the Hults, a feuding clan of misfits, religious fanatics and criminals. The suspect list is long but time is short—which of this family’s dark secrets will provide the vital clue? 


You can read Chapter One on the publisher's website!


About the Author: Camilla Läckberg's novels have all become #1 bestsellers in Sweden. Her thriller The Ice Princess, winner of the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière for Best International Crime Novel, has been published in over twenty-five countries. She lives in Stockholm


Review: WOW. I loved this book! I tried to read it in one sitting, but my eyes got too tired, so it had to be 2! I could NOT put it down! Sometimes when you read a translation, the author's writing style and uniqueness gets lost. Not here! While place names, common names and cultural norms were all Swedish, the characters 'thought' in English, that was well translated, and all the nuances of the story remained.


And what a story! Agatha Christie would be proud- there are turns and changes aplenty, to keep the reader not sure of who they think the suspect is, and what the truth was, all the earmarks of a great mystery novel! The author delicately balanced the domestic life of Patrik and his girlfriend, with the violence of the murder mystery. She also deftly snuck in clues to possible ideas for the third novel, that the astute reader of mystery series will pick up on! The characters were engaging and very relatable (Patrik's girlfriend's method of getting rid of unwanted cousin's for example was hilarious!). 


It felt like the author breathed some new life into the detective series genre and I am thrilled I was able to read, and review, this book! Sorry guys- but Suzanne but her hand up to read this book next. So when she's done, it will come back and go up on the Top Shelf for giveaway! Til then, I'd recommend getting ahold of a copy of the first book in the series! Trust me- you'll love them both!


Disclosure / Disclaimer: I was sent this book, free of charge, for review purposes, from Simon and Schuster Publications. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it.