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A review by mjwerts
The Stonecutter by Camilla Läckberg
3.0
Like the previous two books in the Fjallbaka series, The Stonecutter explores a mysterious murder in a small Swedish town, using the murder investigation to expose the lives of Fjallbaka's residents. This time, detective Patrik Hedstrom is trying to solve the drowning death of a six-year-girl, who was the daughter of a close friend of his girlfriend Erica. Erica, meanwhile, is struggling with postpartum depression from the birth of her and Patrick's first child.
The murder-mystery this time around is a bit obtuse. While Patrik keeps hitting dead ends while questioning and investigating the family, friends and neighbors of the dead girl, the reader is exposed to events that occurred almost a century prior, involving the titular character. How the two are connected remains unclear until the final few pages of the novel. While some may deduce the connection sooner, the failure to find a rhyme or reason behind the connection—that one knows must be coming—before the reveal left this reader frustrated.
Meanwhile, Erica's struggles with motherhood are well-done, at least from the perspective of someone who does not have firsthand experience with the any of the issues she is experiencing. Exposing her doubts, insecurities and confusion is one of the things that I love about this series. It tries to keep everything grounded and true to life amidst the murder.
The murder-mystery this time around is a bit obtuse. While Patrik keeps hitting dead ends while questioning and investigating the family, friends and neighbors of the dead girl, the reader is exposed to events that occurred almost a century prior, involving the titular character. How the two are connected remains unclear until the final few pages of the novel. While some may deduce the connection sooner, the failure to find a rhyme or reason behind the connection—that one knows must be coming—before the reveal left this reader frustrated.
Meanwhile, Erica's struggles with motherhood are well-done, at least from the perspective of someone who does not have firsthand experience with the any of the issues she is experiencing. Exposing her doubts, insecurities and confusion is one of the things that I love about this series. It tries to keep everything grounded and true to life amidst the murder.