Review: The Ice Princess by Camilla Lackberg (audio)

Title: The Ice Princess

Author:Camilla Lackberg

Series:Patrik Hedstrom (Fjallbacka), #1

Narrator:David Thorn

Published:October 2010, HighBridge Audio

Length:15 hours 8 minutes

Source:Library

 

Returning to her
hometown of Fjallbacka after the funeral of her parents, writer Erica
Falck finds a community on the brink of tragedy. The death of her
childhood friend, Alex, is just the beginning. Her wrists slashed, her
body frozen in an ice-cold bath, it seems that she has taken her own
life.

Erica conceives a book about the beautiful but remote Alex,
one that will answer questions about their own shared past. While her
interest grows into an obsession, local detective Patrik Hedstrom is
following his own suspicions about the case. But it is only when they
start working together that the truth begins to emerge about a small
town with a deeply disturbing past.

My thoughts:I’ve heard great things about this series and have been quite excited to start it…I’ve been on a bit of a Scandinavian/crime fiction kick lately and had heard this series was one not to miss! It’s the first in an already established series, so the good thing is that there are already a few books out that I can pick up right away and not have to wait for release day.

Many times, the first book of a series tends to be slow with the introduction of the setting and characters, but I did not feel this was the case with this first book at all. The characters were all engaging and well-developed, flaws and all. The plot starts with a bang and doesn’t really let up, and throughout the whole book, there were just enough twists and turns to keep me guessing as to what might come next. Even the setting – the small fishing town, set during the winter – all worked together to set that atmospheric tone in the book.

I really liked both Erica and Patrik, the two main characters. I found them both to be interesting and can’t wait to see how the relationship that has started between them develops as the series progresses. I also liked the side story about Erica and her sister and hope that we see Anna again.  The family dynamics there are just begging to be dug into further. 

I liked this book so much so that I’ve actually already listened to it twice already...because so much happens and as a first book in a series, I wanted to make sure I had everything straight. Now I’m really anxious to continue on with the next book. I have requested it at the library, but since they didn’t have it on audio, I had to recommend they purchase it. I’m going to wait a little longer to see if they end up getting it, but being that it’s an older book, and a translated book at that, I’m not sure they will. Oh well, at least I know Audible has it!!!    

Audio thoughts:I’ve decided to listen to this series on audio and I’m already bummed to see that there is a narrator change mid-way….I hate when that happens. At least there is consistency with the first three books. I haven’t listened to David Thorn before but I thought he did a good job making the voices distinct and unique. I am looking forward to continuing with him in the next two books.

Books in this series:

1. The Ice Princess
2. The Preacher
3. The Stonecutter
4. The Stranger
5. The Hidden Child
6. The Drowning
7. The Lost Boy