"Still Waters" by Viveca Sten is a mystery novel set in Sandhamn, an island in the Stockholm archipelago. The story revolves around Detective Thomas Andreasson and his friend, lawyer Nora Linde, who get involved in solving a murder mystery when bodies start washing up on the shore. is praised for its sunny setting, engaging characters, and the sense of community in the small island village. While the murder investigation forms the central plot, the book also delves into the personal lives of the characters, adding depth to the narrative.

Characters:

Characters are multifaceted, reflecting both personal struggles and professional dilemmas, enhancing the emotional depth of the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style includes detailed descriptions and character-focused narratives, though it has been criticized for lacking polish and feeling overly descriptive.

Plot/Storyline:

The storyline features a police investigation uncovering a series of murders in a seemingly idyllic setting, blending mystery with elements of personal drama.

Setting:

The novel's setting in a summer holiday destination enriches the narrative, combining a scenic backdrop with dramatic events.

Pacing:

The pacing is leisurely, focusing on character development and procedural detail, which may challenge readers accustomed to faster narratives.

The man gazed irritably at the dachshund as she ran down the beach; she had been cooped up on the boat for several days. He really should have kept her on the leash. Dogs were not allowed to run loose...

Notes:

The book is set on Sandhamn, a real island in Sweden's Stockholm archipelago.

Viveca Sten's main character, Detective Thomas Andreasson, has a personal connection to Sandhamn through childhood summers.

The story features themes of personal and professional conflicts among its characters.

Sten's writing combines cozy elements with crime, differentiating it from more intense Scandinavian thrillers.

The narrative includes insights into Swedish culture and social norms, such as how summer is perceived differently in Sweden compared to warmer regions like Arizona.

Thomas's partner Margit has a family vacation plan interrupted by the murder investigation, adding a domestic angle to the plot.

The novel explores friendship dynamics, especially between Thomas and Nora, showing their long-standing relationship without romantic entanglements.

A significant aspect of the plot is the cultural shift represented by new arrivals in Sandhamn, which traditional residents like Nora find concerning.

The investigation leads to multiple murders, showing a pattern rather than a simple case of accident or single crime.

The book touches on contemporary themes like gender roles, with Thomas being supportive of Margit's authority as a lead officer.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers may include references to domestic strife, personal loss, and the emotional impact of crime, presenting a medium level of content sensitivity.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance, primarily revolving around the characters' personal lives, adding depth to their interactions without being the central focus of the plot.

From The Publisher:

The first book in Swedish author Viveca Sten's enormously popular Sandhamn Murders series.

On a hot July morning on Sweden's idyllic vacation island of Sandhamn, a man takes his dog for a walk and makes a gruesome discovery: a body, tangled in fishing net, has washed ashore.

Police detective Thomas Andreasson is the first to arrive on the scene. Before long, he has identified the deceased as Krister Berggren, a bachelor from the mainland who has been missing for months. All signs point to an accident-until another brutalized corpse is found at the local bed-and-breakfast. But this time it is Berggren's cousin, whom Thomas interviewed in Stockholm just days before.

As the island's residents reel from the news, Thomas turns to his childhood friend, local lawyer Nora Linde. Together, they attempt to unravel the riddles left behind by these two mysterious outsiders-while trying to make sense of the difficult twists their own lives have taken since the shared summer days of their youth.

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Still Waters

Viveca Sten

Book 1 in the series:Sandhamn