The Smell of Salt, the Cries of Birds

The continuation of the “Fjällbacka” series about Erika Falk and Patrik Hedström.

A worldwide bestseller.

22 million copies of books in more than 60 countries and in over 30 languages.

Some claw their way out of the darkness.

Others dream of going back there…

She’s called “Sweden’s Agatha Christie.” Camilla Läckberg is the leading author among the celebrated masters of Scandinavian crime fiction. Her first novel became a worldwide bestseller—just like every subsequent one. Läckberg is among the top ten most popular writers in Europe.

In the town of Tanumshede, hoping to attract the attention of the media and the flow of tourists, the authorities stage a reality show. Soon one of the participants—a glamorous beauty with the fitting nickname Barbie—is found dead. And a few days earlier, a nondescript forty-year-old shop owner had also died. Almost nondescript—because if you look closely enough, there’s a skeleton in every cupboard… These deaths are followed by new ones, but what ties them together—perfectly carried out in different Swedish towns and in different years? And above all, why is a page torn from a children’s book about Hansel and Gretel found beside each body?..

“Läckberg is an expert at mixing cozy domestic scenes with blood-stopping horror.” — Guardian

“Läckberg is especially good at depicting the claustrophobia of small communities where everyone knows everyone, and the police officer can be friends with the killer.” — The Times

“Läckberg’s novels send you hot and cold.” — Sun

“Läckberg has a special gift: she managed to create the two most complete images in all modern crime fiction—while doing it with a special warmth that breaks through Scandinavian coldness.” — Independent