This book gently pulled me in with its sweet charade of grandparents spending time with their children and grandchildren. The father/grandfather Stellan, a legendary television presenter, showing an affinity for gardening as he presents his blooms to his daughter. While the mother/grandmother Agneta remains indoors.
To show such a normal family gathering meant that what came next completely pulled the rug from under my feet. As the children are packing up on the drive the phone rings and Agneta hears just one word Geiger. With her children and grandchildren just outside she attaches a silencer to a black Makarov pistol. Approaching her husband she then presses it to his head and squeezes the trigger.
Enter Sara Nowak a prostitution and trafficking investigator who should be nowhere near this case, but being a childhood friend she joins the team investigating Stellan’s murder.
What then follows is a highly complex political tale involving the Cold War and a family with some very dark secrets.
This is not my usual read but I was drawn to the story of an ordinary grandmother committing such an act. Being completely honest I would have much preferred it if it was more of a crime thriller as I’m afraid the espionage and Cold War was a bit lost on me and I found at times it got a bit too complicated. I will say though that the translation is fabulous and I can see this being a great read for fans of John le Carré.
To show such a normal family gathering meant that what came next completely pulled the rug from under my feet. As the children are packing up on the drive the phone rings and Agneta hears just one word Geiger. With her children and grandchildren just outside she attaches a silencer to a black Makarov pistol. Approaching her husband she then presses it to his head and squeezes the trigger.
Enter Sara Nowak a prostitution and trafficking investigator who should be nowhere near this case, but being a childhood friend she joins the team investigating Stellan’s murder.
What then follows is a highly complex political tale involving the Cold War and a family with some very dark secrets.
This is not my usual read but I was drawn to the story of an ordinary grandmother committing such an act. Being completely honest I would have much preferred it if it was more of a crime thriller as I’m afraid the espionage and Cold War was a bit lost on me and I found at times it got a bit too complicated. I will say though that the translation is fabulous and I can see this being a great read for fans of John le Carré.