The Viper - Hardcover

An engrossing thriller [that] upholds the Scandinavian literary tradition of using crime to peek into deep-rooted social malaises. "Publishers Weekly" Combining the viewpoints of police and local residents gives Ostlundh's first crime novel to appear in English an extra level of interest. This latest Swedish import is sure to please fans of Asa Larsson and Johan Theorin. "Booklist" A future classic of crime fiction. "Stephen Booth, author of The Devil's Edge" There is no question about the fact that the Swedes have captured the Nordic crime throne and Hakan Ostlundh is definitely one of the most interesting authors in the genre... A classic crime story. "Helsingor Dagblad" A classic crime novel that touches upon our time and the relationships between the people that our time creates. "Gotlands Tidningar" Swedish crime writing at its best. "Ove Osterman, UNT" Exceptionally thrilling Breath-taking reading. "Dagens Nyheter""

Arvid Traneus, a ruthless business consultant for a major international company, returns home to Sweden after a lengthy assignment in Tokyo. Four days after Arvid's return, the maid discovers two dead bodies on the living room floor - a man and a woman. At first, police detective Fredrik Broman assumes the two bodies to be Arvid and his wife, but the male body is badly disfigured, and his identity is up for grabs. Set on the island of Gotland, this is a fabulous crime novel that explores the possible terrors lurking beneath small town life, where escaping one's past is impossible.