Introduction

The brilliant new psychological thriller from worldwide bestseller Camilla Läckberg—the chilling struggle of a young woman facing the darkest chapter of Europe’s past.

Crime writer Erica Falck is shocked to discover a Nazi medal among her late mother’s possessions. Haunted by a childhood of neglect, she resolves to dig deep into her family’s past and finally uncover the reasons why. Her enquiries lead her to the home of a retired history teacher. He was among her mother’s circle of friends during the Second World War but her questions are met with bizarre and evasive answers. Two days later he meets a violent death. Detective patrik Hedström, Erica’s husband, is on paternity leave but soon becomes embroiled in the murder investigation. Who would kill so ruthlessly to bury secrets so old? Reluctantly Erica must read her mother’s wartime diaries. But within the pages is a painful revelation about Erica’s past. Could what little knowledge she has be enough to endanger her husband and newborn baby? The dark past is coming to light, and no one will escape the truth of how they came to be . . .

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Excerpt

All summer Erica had tiptoed around the issue that constantly occupied her thoughts. She had weighed the pros and cons, decided to go up to the attic, but she had never gotten any far- ther than the stairs. She could blame it on the fact that there had been a lot to do over the past few months. The aftermath of the wedding, the chaos at home while Anna and the children were still living with them. But that was only part of the truth. She was quite simply afraid. Afraid of what she might find. Afraid of rooting around in something that might bring things to the surface that she would rather not know about. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

*The book revolves around the unveiling a secret others want hidden so badly, they’ll kill to keep it that way. Is it always better to search for truth, as Erica does? Or there some secrets it would be better to let lie?

*Much of the book is occupied with the role of parenting. How do Erica and Patrick grapple with their division of labor? What does Patrick learn from his conversation with his ex-wife, Karin, about her dynamic with her new husband? How do you think Paul and Johanna will handle co-parenting?

*In the novel, we see how the remnants of WWII’s anti-Semitism and xenophobia reverberate in modern day Sweden. How do the different characters deal with healing from these wounds of the past? What drives Axel’s attempts to hunt down former Nazis? Does this give him a sense of peace? What about Kjell and Carina’s efforts to shield their son Per from Frans’ beliefs?

Weblinks

»	Author Camilla Lackberg's web site
»	Publisher's Book Info

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