Un’altra storia dura, durissima, molto difficile. A volte penso che nella Läckberg abiti la crudeltà più pura e la utilizzi poi in ugual misura contro i suoi personaggi, le vicende che inventa e i suoi lettori ai quali toglie qualsiasi speranza, nella giustizia e nel futuro. Mi piace come scrive e le sue storie riescono a catturarmi, a coinvolgermi ma, allo stesso tempo, generano sempre ansietà e grandissima irritazione, compresa anche una voglia smodata di gettare il libro dal balcone. Non sopporto l’accanimento che perpetra su alcuni personaggi e in quei momenti mi sembra di vedere la dea/scrittrice che, con sguardo perfido, davanti al foglio bianco ghigna “Ah, ah, ah … guarda un po’ caro lettore cosa ti combino adesso …” e via a scrivere l’ennesima atrocità.
Meriterebbe 5 stelle, ma per quanto detto saranno invece solo tre e mezzo. ( )

Desde que Patrik se ha reincorporado al trabajo, Erika se dedica de lleno a sus gemelos, que nacieron prematuros. Apenas tiene tiempo para ir a visitar a Annie Wester, una compañera de instituto que acaba de regresar a Fjällbacka después de muchos años. Junto con su hijo Sam, Annie se ha instalado en el faro abandonado de la isla de Graskär, propiedad de su familia. A pesar de los rumores que circulan por el pueblo sobre la leyenda de la "isla de los espíritus", en la que los muertos vagan libremente, no parecen importarle las voces extrañas que oye por la noche. Además, su antiguo novio, Matte Sverin, quien también ha pasado unos años en Estocolmo y acaba de empezar a trabajar en el Ayuntamiento de Fjällbacka, aparece asesinado. Annie es la última persona que o ve con vida.
Estos sucesos le depararán a Patrik y a su eficaz colaboradora, Paula, muchos quebraderos de cabeza. Por su parte, Erika, que realiza su propia investigación en paralelo, conseguirá atar algunos cabos sueltos que serán de gran ayuda para la resolución del caso.

I had a couple of the things figured out about half way through but not all. That is the sign of a good book. This won't make as much sense if you haven't read the previous books ( )

Wanneer Patrik Hedström na langdurig ziekteverlof weer aan het werk gaat, krijgt hij meteen een moordonderzoek toegewezen. Het slachtoffer, Mats Sverin, is gedood met een schot in zijn achterhoofd. Motieven voor de moord zijn moeilijk te vinden, daarom begint Patrik met het in kaart brengen van Mats leven. Hierbij stuit hij echter op meer geheimen dan hem lief is In enkele jaren tijd is Camilla Läckberg ook in ons land uitgegroeid tot een van de bestverkopende thrillerauteurs.

THE LOST BOY written by Camilla Lackberg and translated (from the Swedish) by Tiina Nunnally is Book #7 of the Patrik Hedstrom (Fjallbacka) series.

“Patrik Hedstrom is no stranger to tragedy. A murder case concerning Fjallbacka’s dead financial director, Mats Sverin, is a grim but useful distraction from his recent family misfortunes. It seems Mats was a man everybody liked yet nobody knew - a man with something to hide. His high school sweetheart, Nathalie, has just returned to the area with her five-year-old son - could she shed some light on who Mats really was?” [book jacket]

THE LOST BOY has a brilliantly layered plot. A trademark of Ms. Lackberg’s seems to be secrets - lots of them and very, very dark - unfolding over decades and generations.
I quite this technique with historical and cultural references. Every book has a definite personality. I also like the main characters, Patrik and Erica, their families and co-workers at the police department. The western, coastal area of Sweden is a character in its own right. The title is very tense and suspenseful.
Not to be missed. **** ( )