Kukavičje jajce by Camilla Lackberg / Gökungen (Učila)

Fjällbacka experiences two horrifying incidents that appear to be unrelated. Rolf Stenkel, the renowned photographer, is discovered brutally murdered in his showroom while preparing for an upcoming exhibition. Simultaneously, the family of Henning Bauer, an esteemed nominee for the Nobel Prize for Literature, is devastated by another murder on a small island where Bauer is residing to write the tenth installment of his globally acclaimed novel collection.

The tireless efforts of Patrik Hedström and his colleagues at the Tanumshede police station yield no progress during their investigations. However, Patrik harbors skepticism towards coincidences, especially when it emerges that this particular group of cultists has a history marked by tragedy. In her new crime novel, Erica Falck delves into a sorrowful murder that occurred in Stockholm during the 1980s. Soon, she realizes that the threads of the past intertwine with the present and that sins from long ago cast enduring shadows.

The Cuckoo's Egg presents a vivid and unsettling narrative, brimming with tense moments. It addresses contemporary themes and astutely demonstrates that secrets can only remain hidden if one party is deceased.

This novel exemplifies Camilla Lackberg's classic style, featuring familiar characters who do not embark on drastic transformations. However, while the adventures in Fjallbacka may no longer hold the same allure for me, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to aficionados of intriguing crime stories who relish immersing themselves in captivating narratives.

3/5