Camilla Läckberg

“A top-notch thriller, one of the best of the genre” (Minneapolis Star Tribune) from international crime-writing sensation Camilla Läckberg tells the story of brutal murders in a small Swedish fishing village, and the shattering, decades-old secrets that precipitated them. In this electrifying tale of suspense from an international crime-writing sensation, a grisly death exposes the dark heart of a Scandinavian seaside village. Erica Falck returns to her tiny, remote hometown of Fjällbacka, Sweden, after her parents’ deaths only to encounter another tragedy: the suicide of her childhood best friend, Alex. It’s Erica herself who finds Alex’s body—suspended in a bathtub of frozen water, her wrists slashed. Erica is bewildered: Why would a beautiful woman who had it all take her own life? Teaming up with police detective Patrik Hedström, Erica begins to uncover shocking events from Alex’s childhood. As one horrifying fact after another comes to light, Erica and Patrik’s curiosity gives way to obsession—and their flirtation grows into uncontrollable attraction. But it’s not long before one thing becomes very clear: a deadly secret is at stake, and there’s someone out there who will do anything—even commit murder—to protect it. Fans of Scandinavian greats Stieg Larsson and Henning Mankell will devour Camilla Läckberg’s penetrating portrait of human nature at its darkest.

A Novel

The Ice Princess

Colleen

3.5 Stars
 
*A slow but interesting start to this well-known Nordic Noir series*


The Ice Princess had been on my TBR for a while. I like Nordic Noir, but it is a subgenre that I enjoy sparingly. I get burnt out on it if I read too many too quickly.

The story started out pretty standard: a suspicious death in a small, remote Swedish town led to the airing of much dirty laundry. The story started out focused on Erica Falck, a writer who returned to her hometown to deal with her parents’ estate only to find the body of her childhood best friend. As with any mystery, the dead woman with a seemingly perfect life is naturally hiding dark secrets. And Erica ended up deeply involved in trying to solve the mystery of her friend’s death.

The story stuck to a leisurely pace and mostly consisted of dialogue. I would have appreciated a bit more description of the setting, but nevertheless I became engrossed in the story despite the slow plot. Although the mystery itself was not mind-blowing, it kept me engaged the whole time.

The character development was both a help and hindrance to my enjoyment of the book. Given that the story was slow and character-driven, having compelling characters was essential. And I did feel invested in the characters as much as in the resolution of the mystery. But I had such a hard time to keeping track of all the side characters. Although the narrative started off focused on Erica, as the story progressed, many other characters were introduced. Small snippets of the narrative were told in the close third person perspective of random side characters. Some of those characters played no important role, so the details about their backgrounds were just filler. And they often disappeared after their one moment in the spotlight. I wouldn’t even label them as red herrings; it really just felt like unnecessary details. Eventually, each time a new character was introduced, I couldn't help but wonder if they mattered or if they would shortly disappear. The narrative had a self-aware edge to it. Within the book, Erica was writing her own novel and mentioned that her story needed to be filled out with more information about additional characters. So that whole thing seemed like intentional self-awareness of the story. Regardless, the information about one-off characters could have been trimmed.

As a side note, I know focusing on morally grey, realistic characters is a hallmark of Nordic Noir, but it seems like every one I’ve read has a huge focus on affairs. I get bored when people think affairs are the only way to introduce tension or conflict into a narrative. It wasn’t bad enough to ruin the story, but I’m tired of the overall trend.

This story does mention a lot of heavy topics, but nothing was overly graphic nor did it go into depth on the traumatic topics mentioned. I won’t elaborate the content warnings since that would involve major spoilers, but sensitive readers might be put off by some of the content. But again, most of the issues are mentioned but not explored in detail.


  “It fascinated him that the human will to survive was so strong that despite the complete absence of any quality of life, one still chose to go on, day after day, year after year.”

I’m glad that I finally got around to reading The Ice Princess. Although it was pretty standard, I enjoyed the story overall. I look forward to continuing on with the series although I plan on spreading them out in between other reading.


RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 4 Stars
Writing Style: 3 Stars
Characters and Character Development: 3 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 4 Stars
Level of Captivation: 4 Stars
Originality: 3 Stars

Camilla La ckberg

After she returns to her hometown to learn that her friend, Alex, was found in an ice-cold bath with her wrists slashed, biographer Erica Falck researches her friend's past in hopes of writing a book and joins forces with Detective Patrik Hedstrom, who has his own suspicions about the case.

Janice Hopper

Mysteries are not really my genre. I thought it was kinda boring even though I didn't guess at how everything turned out ahead of time. 

Some of the characters were cliched and dumb. Others were ok. 

It was a freebie on Scribd, so I took a chance. Meh.

Elda Mengisto

"The house was desolate and empty. The cold penetrated into every corner. 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." (1)

So begins a novel which I found to be quite intriguing from the outset: lost friends, an author for a protagonist, and a complex storyline. At the same time, as the story came along, it didn't develop as well as much as I would've thought. I thought the writing/translation, besides the chapter openers, were not as well done as it should've had, but nevertheless, was easy to read.

However, I didn't expect the events of the last hundred pages or so, which advanced things somewhat.

Overall, good concept, but execution could've been better.

The first novel in Camilla LÄckberg's bestselling Swedish mystery series set in a small fishing village.

Camila Lackberg's debut novel "The Ice Princess," is a chilling and gripping crime thriller that takes readers on a journey through a small town shrouded in secrets and darkness. With a well-crafted plot and an array of complex characters, Lackberg delivers a story that keeps you guessing until the very end.

The narrative centers around Erica Falck, a successful writer who returns to her hometown following the tragic death of her parents. The apparent suicide of her childhood friend, Alex, becomes the catalyst for a series of events that unearth buried secrets buried secrets and expose the true nature of the community. As Erica delves deeper into the mystery, she teams up with local detective Patrick Hedstrom, whose own suspicions lead him down a twisted path of deception and betrayal.

Läckberg's writing style is both atmospheric and evocative, capturing the essence of the icy Scandinavian setting and the underlying sense of unease that permeates throughout the novel. The author skillfully weaves together multiple plot threads, alternating between past and present, slowly unraveling the intricate web of secrets that bind the characters together. The pacing is well-maintained, allowing for moments of introspection and character development while maintaining the suspense that keeps readers engaged.

The characters in "The Ice Princess" are well-drawn and multi-dimensional, each harboring their own motivations and hidden agendas. Erica Falck is a relatable and tenacious protagonist, driven by a desire for justice and plagued by her own personal demons. Detective Patrick Hedstrom, on the other hand, is a sympathetic figure, balancing his professional obligations with his own personal struggles. The supporting cast, including friends, family, and townspeople, are equally compelling and contribute to the rich tapestry of the story.

One of the strengths of this novel lies in its exploration of the psychological depths of the characters. Läckberg delves into the dark corners of human nature, exposing the secrets people keep hidden and the devastating consequences that follow. Through her vivid descriptions and nuanced character portrayals, she creates a sense of intimacy with the reader, immersing them in a world that is both disturbing and alluring.

While "The Ice Princess" is primarily a murder mystery, it also delves into themes of family, friendship, and the lasting impact of past events. Läckberg masterfully interweaves these elements, creating a narrative that is not only suspenseful but also thought-provoking.

In conclusion, "The Ice Princess" is a compelling and atmospheric crime novel that will captivate fans of the genre. Camilla Läckberg's ability to create an intricate web of mystery and her insightful exploration of human psychology make this book a standout in the genre. With its well-developed characters, chilling setting, and expertly crafted plot, "The Ice Princess" is a must-read for fans of Scandinavian crime fiction and anyone who enjoys a dark and compelling mystery.

Literally Literature Nerd

Camila Lackberg's debut novel "The Ice Princess," is a chilling and gripping crime thriller that takes readers on a journey through a small town shrouded in secrets and darkness. With a well-crafted plot and an array of complex characters, Lackberg delivers a story that keeps you guessing until the very end.

The narrative centers around Erica Falck, a successful writer who returns to her hometown following the tragic death of her parents. The apparent suicide of her childhood friend, Alex, becomes the catalyst for a series of events that unearth buried secrets buried secrets and expose the true nature of the community. As Erica delves deeper into the mystery, she teams up with local detective Patrick Hedstrom, whose own suspicions lead him down a twisted path of deception and betrayal.

Läckberg's writing style is both atmospheric and evocative, capturing the essence of the icy Scandinavian setting and the underlying sense of unease that permeates throughout the novel. The author skillfully weaves together multiple plot threads, alternating between past and present, slowly unraveling the intricate web of secrets that bind the characters together. The pacing is well-maintained, allowing for moments of introspection and character development while maintaining the suspense that keeps readers engaged.

The characters in "The Ice Princess" are well-drawn and multi-dimensional, each harboring their own motivations and hidden agendas. Erica Falck is a relatable and tenacious protagonist, driven by a desire for justice and plagued by her own personal demons. Detective Patrick Hedstrom, on the other hand, is a sympathetic figure, balancing his professional obligations with his own personal struggles. The supporting cast, including friends, family, and townspeople, are equally compelling and contribute to the rich tapestry of the story.

One of the strengths of this novel lies in its exploration of the psychological depths of the characters. Läckberg delves into the dark corners of human nature, exposing the secrets people keep hidden and the devastating consequences that follow. Through her vivid descriptions and nuanced character portrayals, she creates a sense of intimacy with the reader, immersing them in a world that is both disturbing and alluring.

While "The Ice Princess" is primarily a murder mystery, it also delves into themes of family, friendship, and the lasting impact of past events. Läckberg masterfully interweaves these elements, creating a narrative that is not only suspenseful but also thought-provoking.

In conclusion, "The Ice Princess" is a compelling and atmospheric crime novel that will captivate fans of the genre. Camilla Läckberg's ability to create an intricate web of mystery and her insightful exploration of human psychology make this book a standout in the genre. With its well-developed characters, chilling setting, and expertly crafted plot, "The Ice Princess" is a must-read for fans of Scandinavian crime fiction and anyone who enjoys a dark and compelling mystery.

Cindy Lieberman

Although some plot points were easy to guess, there were enough twists and additional story lines to make this an interesting and enjoyable addition to detective fiction, and the start of a promising series. I'm looking forward to reading more.

 Bruna Acioly Leão

Maybe I am just not that into mysteries/thrillers anymore, maybe they are too predictable nowadays, maybe I am just having bad luck with the books I am choosing...

This book was so... ugh.

To give it credit, it wasn't hard to get through and I could fly through its pages. To take away said credit, I am an extremely fast reader anyway and I had some free time this week, so...

Honestly, I could figure out every single thing that was going to be a twist in this book, except maybe a few details and the final reveal of the murder, but that was probably not because the author cleverly hid the clues in plain sight, but because: 1. she didn't make these clues available to the reader until it was too late (except, again, the ones that were too obvious); 2. the connections between the players at hand didn't make any sense. I felt like everything in this book happened for shock effect. 
(view spoiler)[ Oh, she was raped and had a daughter when she was ten (talk about precocious puberty on this one - do you know how unlikely it is that a ten year old would have regular ovulation enough to get pregnant?); oh, said daughter is super ugly and bitter, probably because of how she was conceived; oh this pedophile was targeting these three kids, but when of them was a psychopath, so they got together and killed him and now they keep souvenirs from that time. Oh, the mother was actually this old lady who was the mother of the guy also involved with the victim.  (hide spoiler)] Oh, look how disgusting and violent this brother in law is. Oh, look how disgusting and stupid this police chief is.

Also, why did this book had to be so demeaning to women? It's great (not) how they are either: a victim, a mother, or a whore or all into one. Except the main character. Who seemed to have no fault other than the fact that she was worried about her weight and had to keep reminding herself to go on a diet. Why do authors keep writing characters like that? I know these people exist, but honestly, the main character was confident and decisive about everything else in her life. So she should have either be committed to her diet or be committed to not needing one. I am sick of indecisive and victimized women in books. Then everyone else is abused in some way by a man or other and really all they want is to take care of kids and form a family. Again, except the main character, who is happy to be alone and satisfied in her career, but who also misses having a man and kids.
 
Now that we got on to that about the characters, let's just talk about that for a second. Everyone in this book had to be described in detail and given a POV at any given time. Ugh. Ugh. I don't care about the freckled and naive police officer that everyone in the station babies and who never got another appearance after he was described as such. It's like one of those writing 101 exercises where they tell you to write something relevant about every character. That's great, but it didn't need to be in the book.

Now about the two main characters, who by the way were involved in the most forced and most unnecessary romance ever - there was no organic chemistry, other than the author wanted them to work and be together, because they are both interested in murder and are sooo smart (this is coming from someone who loves romance, by the way, so don't think I am bashing on the romance because I am one of those reviewers who just hates all romance in books). Anyway, there would be scenes between the two of them were the POV would just jump between one character and the other with no telling whatsoever other than the fact that they were describing something about the other person all of a sudden. I hate that. This book switched POVs all the time by the way, and it gave voice to way too many characters.

Also in the end, and this is not a spoiler because it has nothing to do with the actual plot, there is this old man, who was also the one who first found the body, who ran away from his home life to Spain. Like why? Why should I care that he did that? It was supposed to symbolize that he broke away from society's confinements unlike the main characters involved in the crimes in this book? Really? Who even cares? It was pretentious and unnecessary and a little bit too much like trying to spoon feed the reader a moral. It didn't make sense, and it didn't relate to the rest of the plot.

I realize this review is bit more like a rant, but apparently I had a lot to complain about this book. Honestly, I was tempted to DNF it, but sick curiosity kept me reading. I guess that is why books like this achieve success; we all like the drama. In the end, I didn't really connect with the characters or with the writing style.

The Ice Princess A Novel

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