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About The Book

“A top-notch thriller, one of the best of the genre” (Minneapolis Star Tribune) from international crime-writing sensation Camilla Läckberg tells the story of brutal murders in a small Swedish fishing village, and the shattering, decades-old secrets that precipitated them.

In this electrifying tale of suspense from an international crime-writing sensation, a grisly death exposes the dark heart of a Scandinavian seaside village. Erica Falck returns to her tiny, remote hometown of Fjällbacka, Sweden, after her parents’ deaths only to encounter another tragedy: the suicide of her childhood best friend, Alex. It’s Erica herself who finds Alex’s body—suspended in a bathtub of frozen water, her wrists slashed. Erica is bewildered: Why would a beautiful woman who had it all take her own life? Teaming up with police detective Patrik Hedström, Erica begins to uncover shocking events from Alex’s childhood. As one horrifying fact after another comes to light, Erica and Patrik’s curiosity gives way to obsession—and their flirtation grows into uncontrollable attraction. But it’s not long before one thing becomes very clear: a deadly secret is at stake, and there’s someone out there who will do anything—even commit murder—to protect it.

Fans of Scandinavian greats Stieg Larsson and Henning Mankell will devour Camilla Läckberg’s penetrating portrait of human nature at its darkest.

Reading Group Guide

This reading group guide for The Ice Princess includes an introduction, discussion questions, and ideas for enhancing your book club. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book.


INTRODUCTION 


When the remote, beautiful Alex Wijkner is found dead of an apparent suicide in the sleepy fishing village of Fjällbacka, Sweden her childhood friend Erica Falck is shaken to the core. Erica and Alex haven’t spoken in years, but now Erica, back in her hometown after the deaths of her parents, finds herself haunted by their shared past, their lost friendship, and the suspicion that something isn’t quite right about Alex’s death.

Joining forces with local detective Patrik Hedström, Erica delves into the mystery of Alex’s death, peeling away layers of secrets to reveal the shocking, deeply disturbing past that reaches into the dark heart of Fjällbacka and threatens to tear aside its idyllic façade.

QUESTIONS AND TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION

  1. Erica’s initial involvement in the mystery of Alex’s death is purely coincidental, but as time goes on she becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth about her childhood friend’s past. What do you think motivates Erica to pursue this case so relentlessly?
  2. Both a gifted painter and Fjällbacka’s neighborhood drunk, Anders Nilsson lives a contradictory existence. As Läckberg writes, “he was born with an insatiable need for beauty at the same time that he was condemned to a life of filth and squalor” (page 142). What is your impression of Anders and how did it change as the novel progressed?
  3. Alex and Anders form a close bond based on the shared trauma of their pasts, a relationship that is truly loving but also profoundly marked by sorrow. Reread Anders’ description of Alex on page 191. What do you make of their relationship?
  4. Erica continues to write her book about Alex’s life despite having many reservations. Läckberg writes, “For the first time an idea for a book had really filled her with enthusiasm. There were so many other ideas that hadn’t panned out and that she’d rejected over the years; she couldn’t afford to lose this one.” (page 261). Do you think the project is exploitative, or even selfish, or will Erica offer a respectful, balanced account that humanizes her subject? Do you think Erica has the right to publish this book?
  5. Anna and Erica’s strained relationship improves markedly after Anna leaves her abusive husband. How do both women begin to view each other differently once Lucas is out of the picture? What do you think they will resolve to do with their parents’ house?
  6. How do Anders’s italicized passages contribute to the narrative as a whole? When did you discover the identity of the man in these scenes and what was it that tipped you off?
  7. Karl-Erik and Birgit’s decision to raise Julia leaves Alex with a constant reminder of the trauma of her childhood. But as Läckberg writes, “The sad thing was that—even if it was true that they had looked at Julia many times and were reminded of the horror of the past—she would never realize how much they loved her” (page 335). Do you think that Karl-Erik and Birgit were well-intentioned in their decision or were they simply trying to sweep the tragedy under the rug?|
  8. The Ice Princess is rife with examples of dysfunctional and adulterous relationships—from Alex and Henrik, to Dan and Pernilla, to Anna and Lucas. Do you think Läckberg intentionally paints a bleak portrait of marriage in general? Will Erica and Patrik fare any better as a couple?
  9. Despite the quaint and scenic backdrop that Fjällbacka provides, the town has a dark and disturbing past. Discuss how the setting of this book influences the story. How does the uncovering of Fjällbacka’s secrets parallel the demise of some of its most prominent residents?
  10. The difficulty of parent/child relationships is a recurring theme in The Ice Princess, from Erica’s frustration with her cold and distant mother, to Vera’s fierce protectiveness of Anders, to Julia’s deep-seated bitterness toward Karl-Erik and Birgit. How are the characters in this book influenced by their relationships with their parents?
  11. Vera Nilsson’s motive for murder stems from a desperate need to salvage her son’s reputation: “‘Everyone would have pointed at him and talked to him,’” she says. “‘I did what I thought was right’” (page 372). Do you think Vera is at all sympathetic? Why or why not?

 ENHANCE YOUR BOOK CLUB 

1.      Fjällbacka is the setting for all of Camilla Läckberg’s novels as well as her hometown. Do a little online research about Fjällbacka and bring whatever information you find to your next book club meeting. Is the town what you imagined it to be, based on what you read in The Ice Princess?

  1. According to the author’s website, Erica’s favorite movie is Notting Hill and Patrik’s is The Usual Suspects. Rent one or both of these movies with your book club and discuss why you think Läckberg chose them as her characters’ favorites. 
  2. For your next book club meeting try your hand at some Swedish cuisine! Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_cuisine for inspiration.
  3. Find out more about Camilla Läckberg by visiting her website, www.CamillaLackberg.com, which includes biographical information, a blog, a list of her other titles, interviews, and fun facts about her writing technique and recurring characters.

About The Author

Photograph by Thron Ullberg

Camilla Läckberg worked as an economist in Stockholm until a course in creative writing triggered a drastic career change. She is now one of the most profitable native authors in Swedish history. Her novels have sold worldwide in thirty-five countries. She lives with her husband and children in a quaint suburb of Stockholm.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Free Press (March 29, 2011)
  • Length: 416 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781451621754

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Raves and Reviews

“Masterful suspense…. Läckberg combines her gift for intriguingly complicated plots and her keen understanding of even the 'grotesques' who live among us. Both erotic and terrifying. I couldn't sift the killer(s) from the suspects although I read obsessively. An absolute must for mystery lovers!”

– Ann Rule, author of In the Still of the Night

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