Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Harper (2012), Edition: Reprint, 407 pages
Description
Fictio Thrille HTML: In a remote Swedish village, Detective Patrik Hedstrom looks into a string of suspicious deaths in this mystery by a multimillion-copy bestselling author. A local woman is killed in a tragic car crash, but it isn't a clear-cut drunk driving case. The victim's blood contains high alcohol levels, yet she rarely drank a drop. Meanwhile, a new television series begins shooting in Fjällbacka, and as cameras shadow the stars' every move, tempers start to flare. When a drunken party ends with an unpopular contestant's murder, all eyes turn to the cast and crew. Could there be a murderer among them? The ratings spike as the country tunes in to a real life murder mystery. Detective Patrik Hedstrom finds himself increasingly unable to focus on the strange circumstances of the first case, but what if that holds the key to a series of other unsolved cases across Sweden? Under the unforgiving media spotlight, Patrik tackles his most challenging investigation yet.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member skraft001
Started off slow and not particularly well-written for Lackberg. Picked up about 1/2 way through and became a good page turner at the end. Mellburg outcome was very predictable. Didn't care for the 'oh this ties all the murders together' without telling the reader what it is until pages later. OK
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to do that once, but it happened repeatedly. Show Less
LibraryThing member magentaflake
The Guardian writes " an expert at mixing scenesof domestic cosiness with blood curdling horror. Detective Patrick Hedstrom and his writer wife Erica with baby Mega.
LibraryThing member Schatje
The cases to be solved this time are a fatal car crash that is not an accident and the murder of a contestant of a reality show that is being filmed in Tanumshede in southwestern Sweden, the setting of all of Lackberg's mysteries. Patrik leads the investigation, assisted by his colleagues who now
The subplots are the planning of Patrik and Erica's forthcoming wedding, the recovery of Erica's sister from the tragic ending of her abusive marriage, and the love life of the hapless, self-serving, cartoonish police chief.
As with the other books in the series, there are weaknesses. There is some manipulation. For example, someone cannot remember something important; someone knows there is something significant in a scene but cannot think what it is; someone does not look up relevant information in the archives; someone does not immediately reply to a request for information. Another flaw is that the solution is rather too clearly signalled.
At the end there is a setup for the next book, a setup that will have Lackberg's readers rushing to find the next installment.
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include Hannah, a new addition to the Tanumshede police department. The subplots are the planning of Patrik and Erica's forthcoming wedding, the recovery of Erica's sister from the tragic ending of her abusive marriage, and the love life of the hapless, self-serving, cartoonish police chief.
As with the other books in the series, there are weaknesses. There is some manipulation. For example, someone cannot remember something important; someone knows there is something significant in a scene but cannot think what it is; someone does not look up relevant information in the archives; someone does not immediately reply to a request for information. Another flaw is that the solution is rather too clearly signalled.
At the end there is a setup for the next book, a setup that will have Lackberg's readers rushing to find the next installment.
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LibraryThing member cookiemo
This is the second of Camilla Lackberg's books I have read and I really enjoyed it. I wondered what the film crew were doing in the village/town as they seemed superfluous to the plan of the book, but I loved the way they became involved in the story. For once I was able to guess 'who did it'as
The story of Patrik and Erica is ongoing as is that of Anna but you do not need to have read the earlier books to read this one.
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there was a small hint within the storyline.The story of Patrik and Erica is ongoing as is that of Anna but you do not need to have read the earlier books to read this one.
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LibraryThing member birdsam0610
I really enjoy Camilla Lackberg’s books involving Patrik and Erica. They are good, solid crime reads which have the added bonus of a detective in a healthy, mainly happy relationship (take that, Kurt Wallender). I like the balance of the civilian Erica, with her family/wedding problems to
This book is known by two different titles – beware picking them both up. The Gallows Bird was the title in the UK, but in Australia and Singapore, I’ve seen it called The Stranger. Why? I can’t figure it out. Neither title gives huge clues to what’s inside.
In this book, several crimes have been committed. A woman is found dead after running into a tree. She was very drunk and it is suggested that she was drink driving. Meanwhile, a reality programme, Sodding Tatum (excellent name) starts filming nearby. It contains winners and popular contestants from a range of programmes from Big Brother to Jersey Shore type shows. What the aim of the show is was never clear, but seems to involve conflict, drinking and sex. However, Sodding Tatum goes one step beyond the normal realms of reality TV when a contestant is found murdered. Patrik of course is on the case, but can he and his team (including new recruit Hanna) link up the reasons for these depths.
What I like about Lackberg’s books is that the crimes are not formulaic – there are elements of the effect on the victims (such as the drink driver’s daughter) and how they shape the future. Having the wedding of Patrik and Erica going on in the background was also a nice light touch to the dramatic murders.
Despite this being a series, you can read them in any order. The only spoiler is the relationship between Erica and Patrik progressing! The story ends on a teasing note, which segues rather nicely into the next book. A cheap trick? Not for me, I’ll keep reading no matter what!
Definitely one of the better crime series out there.
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Patrik’s police issues.This book is known by two different titles – beware picking them both up. The Gallows Bird was the title in the UK, but in Australia and Singapore, I’ve seen it called The Stranger. Why? I can’t figure it out. Neither title gives huge clues to what’s inside.
In this book, several crimes have been committed. A woman is found dead after running into a tree. She was very drunk and it is suggested that she was drink driving. Meanwhile, a reality programme, Sodding Tatum (excellent name) starts filming nearby. It contains winners and popular contestants from a range of programmes from Big Brother to Jersey Shore type shows. What the aim of the show is was never clear, but seems to involve conflict, drinking and sex. However, Sodding Tatum goes one step beyond the normal realms of reality TV when a contestant is found murdered. Patrik of course is on the case, but can he and his team (including new recruit Hanna) link up the reasons for these depths.
What I like about Lackberg’s books is that the crimes are not formulaic – there are elements of the effect on the victims (such as the drink driver’s daughter) and how they shape the future. Having the wedding of Patrik and Erica going on in the background was also a nice light touch to the dramatic murders.
Despite this being a series, you can read them in any order. The only spoiler is the relationship between Erica and Patrik progressing! The story ends on a teasing note, which segues rather nicely into the next book. A cheap trick? Not for me, I’ll keep reading no matter what!
Definitely one of the better crime series out there.
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LibraryThing member picardyrose
The writing was good and the heroes were interesting, but I knew immediately who the killer was. And I didn't even read the italic babbling from the mysterious -- OK, not mysterious at all.
LibraryThing member JEB5
When a woman is found dead in a single car accident on the side of the road, reeking of alcohol and with an empty bottle on the floorboards, Patrick begins to wonder if this was in fact an accident or a homicide. With the help of Erica, his fiancée, and his fellow police officers Patrick begins an
Lackberg is an expert at plot development, description, and character perspective. Fjallbacka, Sweden comes to life in her writings. A continuation of her Patrick Hedstrom series, "The Stranger" will make you gasp at the tragedy and horrors that humans are capable of committing upon each other. Lackberg has the ability to dig into the human soul, extracting motivations and being able to put the human psyche in all its black and white onto a page.
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investigation into this woman's death - not knowing that he will uncover a serial killer. The questions he must answer are: who is this killer, why this woman, and can the police catch them before another person dies? Will Patrick be able to figure it out in time?Lackberg is an expert at plot development, description, and character perspective. Fjallbacka, Sweden comes to life in her writings. A continuation of her Patrick Hedstrom series, "The Stranger" will make you gasp at the tragedy and horrors that humans are capable of committing upon each other. Lackberg has the ability to dig into the human soul, extracting motivations and being able to put the human psyche in all its black and white onto a page.
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LibraryThing member TheCrow2
In the fourth book of the series Patrik and his friends has to deal with a murder disguised as a road accident and the killing of a member of a reality showe coming to their little town together. And as the collecting the infos, they getting to feel that everything is connected with everything....
LibraryThing member Ma_Washigeri
No wonder the author writes about her home town but lives else where - there are nearly as many murders as in an english Midsommer town!!!
LibraryThing member emhromp2
Another nice addictive read by Camilla Lackberg. Pity anyone can guess who did it. The characters are brilliant though.
LibraryThing member NHNick
I liked the main character in this book, and the way the author weaved a few story lines into one, but I did guess "who done it", otherwise probably would have given it a higher rating.
LibraryThing member judithrs
The Stranger. Camilla Lackberg. 2011. The fifth novel in the Patrik Hedstrom/Erica Falck crime series. It was a little predictable but I have fallen in love with this series and recommend it to people who like Stieg Larssen and Karin Slaughter. Patrik is working on a suicide that may be a homicide,
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and Erica is trying to plan their wedding and help her sister who is living with them now. A reality show has come to town and when one of the stars is murdered the investigation of the first murder is put on hold. Patrik is exhausted and so is the rest of his staff. In addition to reading about the private life of Patrik and Erica, the lives of the others police personnel are described in such a way that I became interested in them and want to know more. Keep them coming Camilla Show Less
LibraryThing member petrichor8
very good read, keeps you in suspense until the very end.
LibraryThing member cbl_tn
Patrik Hedstrom and the station’s new hire, Hanna Kruse, answer an emergency call on Hanna’s first day of work. A woman is dead in a tragic car accident after an argument with her lover. Some things don’t look quite right, and eventually it’s ruled as murder. Before the police are able to
After a shaky start, this has become a solid series. The writing is formulaic, but the formula works. I didn’t even mind that I figured out the solution to the murders fairly early on. I was in suspense as I waited for Patrik and his team to figure out what I already knew. A cliffhanger ending will leave most readers eager to start the next book in the series.
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make much progress in the investigation, they have another murder on their hands. Tanumshede is hosting a Big Brother-like reality show, and the body of one of the contestants is discovered after she was last seen (and filmed!) arguing violently with several of the other cast members. Meanwhile, Patrik and Erica are preparing for their wedding. Can Patrik wrap up both murders before his wedding date with Erica?After a shaky start, this has become a solid series. The writing is formulaic, but the formula works. I didn’t even mind that I figured out the solution to the murders fairly early on. I was in suspense as I waited for Patrik and his team to figure out what I already knew. A cliffhanger ending will leave most readers eager to start the next book in the series.
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LibraryThing member Floratina
READ IN DUTCH
Fjallbacka is quickly growing into one of those spaces, like Midsummer, that you best stay away from, because the murder rate is unusually high. Strange is it that besides all the murder the overwhelming feeling with these books for me is still one of hygge. Cinnamon buns all the way.
Fjallbacka is quickly growing into one of those spaces, like Midsummer, that you best stay away from, because the murder rate is unusually high. Strange is it that besides all the murder the overwhelming feeling with these books for me is still one of hygge. Cinnamon buns all the way.
LibraryThing member cathyskye
If you are the type of reader who prefers police procedurals to remain focused on the investigation and to have little to say about anything else, Camilla Läckberg's series is not the one for you. In these Hedström and Falck novels, the lives of the police officers are every bit as important as
Hedström and Falck have had to learn how to be a couple, how to juggle their separate careers, and how to be parents. Erika's sister and her two children have had a very difficult time of their own, and we get to see them adjusting to a new chapter in their lives. We know what's going on in the lives of each person who works with Patrik-- even Melberg, the boss who drives everyone insane. Melberg's private life comes into the spotlight for a while in The Stranger, and this glimpse gives him an added depth that the usual pain-in-the-neck boss just doesn't have in the typical police procedural. The individual cast members of the reality TV show also come under scrutiny since they are all considered suspects. It does sound like a huge cast, but I had no difficulties in keeping everyone straight.
The only thing that kept The Stranger from becoming one of my top reads for the year was the fact that the identity of the killer was crystal clear to me very early on. However, I certainly did enjoy watching Hedström and his team conduct their investigations into the two deaths, finding clues and piecing them together in this strongest book of the series so far.
If you like to learn a bit about another country, be a part of intricate investigations, and immerse yourself in the lives of fictional characters, then I certainly recommend crime fiction written by Camilla Läckberg.
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the investigations they work on. For character-driven readers like me, they're perfect to immerse myself in when I'm in the mood to spend time with characters who've come to feel as though they're friends. You also never know just what's going to happen, because the lives of these characters do not run smoothly. Hedström and Falck have had to learn how to be a couple, how to juggle their separate careers, and how to be parents. Erika's sister and her two children have had a very difficult time of their own, and we get to see them adjusting to a new chapter in their lives. We know what's going on in the lives of each person who works with Patrik-- even Melberg, the boss who drives everyone insane. Melberg's private life comes into the spotlight for a while in The Stranger, and this glimpse gives him an added depth that the usual pain-in-the-neck boss just doesn't have in the typical police procedural. The individual cast members of the reality TV show also come under scrutiny since they are all considered suspects. It does sound like a huge cast, but I had no difficulties in keeping everyone straight.
The only thing that kept The Stranger from becoming one of my top reads for the year was the fact that the identity of the killer was crystal clear to me very early on. However, I certainly did enjoy watching Hedström and his team conduct their investigations into the two deaths, finding clues and piecing them together in this strongest book of the series so far.
If you like to learn a bit about another country, be a part of intricate investigations, and immerse yourself in the lives of fictional characters, then I certainly recommend crime fiction written by Camilla Läckberg.
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LibraryThing member Ma_Washigeri
No wonder the author writes about her home town but lives else where - there are nearly as many murders as in an english Midsommer town!!!
Language
Original language
Swedish
Original publication date
2006 (original Swedish)
2011 (English: Murray)
Physical description
407 p.; 5.12 inches
ISBN
0007253990 / 9780007253999