The Preacher

This second mystery featuring detective Patrik Hedstrom (The Ice Princess) is again set in the small Swedish village of Fjällbacka. The story opens with the discovery of the skeletons of two women who disappeared more than 20 years ago, along with a fresh victim killed in a similar manner. In researching the decades-old murders, the police are led to the dysfunctional family of a religious fanatic, Ephraim Hult, who was known as a preacher and healer. Hedstrom must find the key to connect the old crimes with the new. In addition, Patrik's girlfriend, Erica, is about to give birth, and he must come to terms with his feelings about becoming a father. Erica, in turn, is deeply troubled by her sister's increasingly serious marriage problems. Läckberg's many-layered story features plot twists and turns galore. Especially effective are her flashbacks, which connect the stories of the women from 1979 to the current investigation. Patrik and Erica continue to evolve, leading readers to become increasingly involved in their lives.