The Drowning cover art

The Drowning

Patrik Hedström and Erica Falck, Book 6

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The Drowning

By: Camilla Läckberg
Narrated by: Eamonn Riley
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About this listen

Swedish crime sensation and No. 1 international bestseller, Camilla Lackberg’s new psychological thriller – for fans of Stieg Larsson and Jo Nesbo

Christian Thydell’s dream has come true: his debut novel, The Mermaid, is published to rave reviews. So why is he as distant and unhappy as ever?

When crime writer Erica Falck discovers that Christian has been receiving anonymous threats, she investigates not just the messages but also the author’s mysterious past…

Meanwhile, one of Christian’s closest friends is missing. Erica’s husband, Detective Patrik Hedström, has his worst suspicions confirmed as the mind-games aimed at Christian and those around him become a disturbing reality.

But, with the victims themselves concealing evidence, the investigation is going nowhere. Is their silence driven by fear or guilt? And what is the secret they would rather die to protect than live to see revealed?

©2012 Camilla Lackberg (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Amateur Sleuths Detective Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Psychological Suspense Thriller & Suspense

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Critic reviews

"Mesmerising.... It’s Läckberg’s particular skill to have created two of the most fully rounded characters in contemporary crime fiction, with a warmth that cuts right through the Nordic chill." ( Independent)
"Läckberg is an expert at mixing scenes of domestic cosiness with blood-curdling horror…a must for white-knuckle junkies." ( Guardian)
"Läckberg is particularly good at portraying the claustrophobia of a small community in which everyone knows everyone else and the police may well be friends with killers." ( The Times)
All stars
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I have read all of the books translated into English and love them all I think the characters are well rounded and believable and the stories interesting. I love the day to day banter between the characters especially in Patrik's office. I thought the story line was well thought out and it gave me a few surprises in the end. Enjoyed the narrative and felt it helped the story. Recommended read.

Good plot Love the nitty gritty

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Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Not unless there were very new to this type of literature - the crime story is so ordinary and the domestic asides and attempts at humour just gall.

What was most disappointing about Camilla Lackberg’s story?

The predictability - it wasn't so bad as to stop listening but the key premise was so obvious.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Some of the background scenes and the backstory of the antagonist works well.

Did The Drowning inspire you to do anything?

Probably to be a little more circumspect when ordering my next audiobook.

Any additional comments?

This is a very lightweight crime-fiction. For someone new to the genre it's fine but for an experienced crime-fiction devotee, it may disappoint.

Not what I had hoped for

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An interesting and good story eventually but rather repetitive and drawn out. Great psychological content

Drawn out

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Another great read but found two many similar characters and kept losing track of who was who. Otherwise a thoroughly good read.

Too many characters!

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I've just finished listening and feel quite upset ... the story has touched me very deeply and a new one is starting at the end.

The story was very tense and cleverly designed ... I felt that it was too drawn out for a period of time but in the end it was well worth listening to and I don't think I'll forget this story in a hurry.

Disconcerting and unputdownable

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Brilliant, its a tiny bit slow at the start, fantastic ending.. Held my breath.. Loved it and all the others in the series.

WOW.. amazing ending!

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I have read/listened to all the books in the Patrick Hedstrom series by Camilla Lackberg, and up to now I have found them excellent. This book, however, I feel is the weakest so far. While I still enjoyed the interaction of all the various employees of the police station and their family members, the main plot line was quite transparent. I could see the denouement coming a mile away, and was just waiting for it to unravel. There also seemed to be quite a lot of unnecessary filler.

In a nutshell - worth listening to if you enjoy the Patrick Hedstrom novels, but definitely not Lackberg's best.

Rather Disappointing

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So incredibly drawn out,

Camilla Lackberg always has characters with a miserable childhood that comes back to bite in later life.

I really find it irritating that whenever a clue or a new piece of evidence is found, the scene switches to somewhere else, we, as readers, are not allowed any insights at all. I don't mind this once or twice in order to build tension, but CL does it EVERY TIME and it just makes me wonder why I bother!

This book was 15 hours long, it could have been more exciting it it had been 10 hours.

Too long and drawn out.

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