Title: Latarnik
Author: Camilla Läckberg
First published September 16, 2009
496 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9788375542950 (ISBN10: 8375542954)
Rating: 3.83
Overview
It was a clear summer night when a young woman jumps into her car, bloodied and injured, and takes her son to the only safe place she knows – the island of Gråskär, just off the coast of Fjällbacka. But a few days later, Mats Sverin, a well-respected man who recently returned to Fjällbacka to become the head of the municipal finance department, is found murdered in his apartment.
Inspector Patrik Hedström and the police in Tanumshede begin to investigate his past, uncovering various secrets. It turns out that before his death, Mats had visited Gråskär, known to locals as the Island of Ghosts – haunted by the dead who have something to tell the living…
About the Author
Camilla Läckberg, born in 1974, is a highly acclaimed crime writer from Sweden. Before her writing career, she worked as a marketing director and product manager.
Her first two books in the crime genre, The Ice Princess and The Preacher, were well received and gained her a large following. However, it was her third book, The Stonecutter, that made her a household name after it was nominated for The Crime Novel of the Year award in 2005.
Her other books, The Stranger and The Hidden Child, were also successful and became lead titles in Bonnier’s Book Club.
Camilla’s books received even more attention when they were adapted into a TV series by Swedish Television. Her most recent book, Häxan, released in April 2017, is considered to be her best work so far and has sold over 300,000 copies in Sweden, earning her a diamond book award.
In 2019, she released The Golden Cage, the first of two psychological suspense novels. The book became the best-selling book in Sweden that year.
Camilla Läckberg has sold over 26 million copies worldwide, making her one of the most successful Swedish authors of all time.
Editoral Review
Latarnik by Camilla Lckberg is a captivating novel that immerses readers in a world of mystery and intrigue. Lckberg, a Swedish author and crime writer, is widely recognized for her best-selling novels, along with her strong female characters and intricate plots.
Set in the idyllic town of Fjllbacka, Sweden, Latarnik follows the life of Erica Falck, an author and resident of the small picturesque town. She returns to her hometown following the death of her parents, and while there, she reconnects with her childhood friend, Christian Thydell, who is preparing to publish his first novel.
However, his happiness soon turns to horror after he receives anonymous letters that threaten his life and decimate his burgeoning career.
As Erica investigates Thydell’s situation, she soon realizes that his situation may have ties to the town’s dark past.
She teams up with the town’s detective, Patrik Hedstrm, and together they attempt to unravel the mystery behind the anonymous letters and the town’s troubling past. Lckberg’s writing style is refreshing, with its descriptive prose and slow-burning suspense.
She manages to capture the town’s essence so flawlessly that readers can almost smell the salty sea air and feel the crunch of the ice underfoot. Her character development is also a standout feature, as readers are able to empathize with the characters’ plights.
However, Latarnik might feel familiar to those who are well-read in the genre of crime and mystery fiction. The plot and character arcs might seem predictable, and some of the twists in the plot are less surprising than one would hope.
Regardless, Lckberg manages to keep the plot taut and engaging, with a strong sense of pacing. Overall, Latarnik is a delightful read for fans of the crime and mystery genre, especially when they are looking for a novel that is well-written and steeped in atmosphere.
The novel might not break new ground within the genre, but it is a solid and engaging read that is sure to keep readers turning the pages.
Score: 8/10
