Larsson, Ǻsa – Larsson, Ǻsa –

[LJ Roberts]

Larsson, Ǻsa –(Thriller-Stockholm, Sweden-Cont) – VG
Larsson, Ǻsa – 1^st book
Delacorte Press, 2003 – US Hardcover – ISBN 038533981X

First Sentence: When Viktor Strandgård dies it is not, in fact, for the first time.

Attorney RebeckaMartinsson left her hometown in disgrace but is now returning to help her friend Sanna whose brother, Viktor has been murdered. Viktor had been revived from death and became the center of a revivalist following from which cam e the building of the Crystal Church. Rebecka wants to protect her friend and friend’s daughter, keep her job and find the killer of a man Rebecka herself once loved.

There is a whole new influx of books set in Scandinavia and this was a good one. I had no sense of awkwardness from the translation. I like Rebecka and the way the author unfolded her past to us throughout the story. Even more, I enjoyed the eight-month pregnant Inspector Anna-Maria Mella. The sense of place was excellent and refreshing. The plot captured my interest and the ending surprised me even though the clues were there for me along the way. The story was a little slow at points but I still found it an absorbing enjoyable read and I high recommend it.