Review: After She’s Gone by Camilla Grebe

Title: After She’s Gone

Author: Camilla Grebe

Series: Hanne Lagerlind-Schon, #2

Published: February 2019, Ballantine Books

Format: ARC E-copy, 379 pages

Source: Netgalley via Publisher

Summary: 

Out of the frozen depths of a forest in Ormberg, Sweden, a woman
stumbles onto the road. Her arms are covered with scratches, her feet
are bare, and she has no memory of who she is. Local police identify her
as psychological profiler Hanne Lagerlind-Schön, who, with her partner,
had been helping investigate the cold case of a young woman’s murder.
Hanne begins to recover but cannot recall anything about where her
partner is, or what their investigation had uncovered before her
disappearance. Police have only one lead: a young woman in a sequined
dress who was spotted nearby the night Hanne was found.

The
young woman doesn’t come forward because she doesn’t exist: Jake
Birgersson, a local teenager, had been out walking in his mother’s dress
and sister’s makeup, his secret shame and thrill. Terrified of
discovery, Jake hid and watched Hanne get into a car, leaving behind her
diary.

Reading Hanne’s notebook, Jake realizes that it contains
the key to a major breakthrough in the case—but turning it in would
mean admitting the truth about who he is. When another murder victim is
found in the woods, Jake realizes that Hanne herself is in danger, and
his only choice is to find and warn her so that together, they can stop
the killer before he strikes again.

My thoughts: This is the second book by Camilla Grebe featuring psychological profiler Hanne Lagerlind-Schon and investigator Peter Lindgren. I really enjoyed the first book, The Ice Beneath Her, and have been anxiously awaiting more from Camilla Grebe and this latest installment does not disappoint.

This story pulled me in right from the start and while a little slower than I would have liked, it did keep me intrigued and invested in what was going on. I wanted to know what had happened to the young woman. On top of that I loved the way the story is told, alternating between three points of view. There is Malin, a young police woman who is originally from the area; Hanne, who has just been found wandering the woods, barefoot and bleeding and is unable to remember why she is there; and Jake, a teenager who stumbles upon a diary that holds secrets about the case.

I loved how when we were in Jake’s parts, we would get snippets from the diary. This added to the suspense of the book…slowing the pieces are revealed but it’s a slow-burn and you are left wondering just how they will all come together. 

Each of the characters had their own issues and I felt each were explored quite well. Hanne is dealing with dementia and not wanting to face it just yet. Jake is trying to figure out his affinity for cross-dressing and Malin is trying to find her place in the world.

This was a gripping, atmospheric read and I hope that it is not the last we have seen of Hanne and her team. I enjoy Camilla’s writing and look forward to seeing what comes next from her.

Books in this series:

1. The Ice Beneath Her
2. After She’s Gone