The Ice Princess is the first novel of a famous crime saga, set in the present, by Swedish writer Camilla Läckberg.

As the story opens, Erica, a journalist whose parents have died recently, returns to her hometown. There she discovers that her youth friend Alex has died in strange circumstances. She has her wrists cut and her body was frozen in her bathtub, so all indicates she has taken her life. However, it is not so easy.

Past dark episodes appear when Erica starts writing   Alex’s biography, but no one wants to answer her questions. As a result, Erica’s interest increases into an obsessive level, making her thirsty to know the truth.

In this intriguing atmosphere, she starts working with a local detective called Patrick Hedström who has his own thoughts, quite different from those of the police, about Alex’s death. With him, who is not a stranger as they have known each other since they were children, she discovers the turbulent past that the calm village of Fjällbacka hides behind its peaceful countryside and some new feelings with a friend that smoothly begins to be more than that.

From my personal point of view, I consider The Ice Princess an extraordinary book which will hook you from the beginning to the end. When the first page is turned, an effect of immersion invades your mind, consequently the story is your present time and you cannot stop reading. In one word, unputdownable.

In spite of the fact that it might start in a bit tasteless and incomprehensible way, as a few pages are read the plot haunts you in all its details and descriptions, for instance, I find the way that Alex appears death and how the author deals with this part superb, with the just pinch of intrigue.

In my opinion, Camilla Läckberg shows us a chilly atmosphere that can be touchable from our sofa. Besides, it is a fast-moving work that makes it easier for inexperienced readers to follow the development of the events.

In conclusion it is, without doubt, a masterpiece black novel.

Click on the book cover to read Paco’s review.

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 A teacher at EOI Oviedo has just launched a website with listening exercises for students at an advanced level. Click on the picture below to access the site. After doing the exercises fill in the questionnaire on the front page and send it.

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