The Ice Beneath Her

Angekündigt wird dieser 600-Seiten-Wälzer als Psychothriller, "... so kalt und gewaltig wie kaum einer sonst." (Daily Mail) Wenn sich Letzteres auf das Wetter beziehen sollte, dann stimmt es vermutlich sogar, denn die Handlung spielt um Weihnachten herum, bei widerlich ekligem Wetter ;-) Ansonsten empfinde ich die Aussage aber deutlich übertrieben, denn mindestens die Hälfte der Handlung, wenn nicht sogar mehr, beschäftigt sich mit dem Innenleben zweier beteiligter Personen, das mit dem eigentlichen Fall absolut nichts zu tun hat.
Im Hause eines reichen Geschäftsmannes wird eine enthauptete Frau aufgefunden, alle Indizien deuten auf den Hausbesitzer, der spurlos verschwunden ist. Erzählt wird abwechselnd aus drei Perspektiven: Da show more gibt es Hanne, Verhaltenstherapeutin und Psychologin, die neben schweren Eheproblemen auch mit ihrer Diagnose Demenz zu kämpfen hat und die Mitarbeit an diesem Fall nutzt, um in ihrem Leben reinen Tisch zu machen. Und Peter, einer der verantwortlichen Kommissare, der beruflich zwar erfolgreich, im Sozialen jedoch ein völliger Versager ist. Auch für ihn wird dieser Fall eine Auseinandersetzung mit seinem eigenen Leben, in dem Hanne ebenfalls eine Rolle spielt. Die Dritte im Bunde ist Emma, deren Bericht zwei Monate vor dem Fund der Leiche beginnt. Ist sie die Tote? Ihr Erzählpart steuert nach und nach auf den Tag der Tat zu und es ist klar, dass sie eine der Hauptfiguren darin ist.
Neben den Ermittlungsschilderungen sind sicherlich mehr als die Hälfte Rückblenden der drei Personen, was in Emmas Fall durchaus zur Spannung beiträgt, da sie direkt mit dem Verbrechen verbunden ist. Bei Hanna und Peter sind es dagegen (nur) Erinnerungen an das eigene Leben; wie sie zu den Menschen wurden, die sie jetzt sind; weshalb sie jetzt so und nicht anders handeln. Camilla Grebe schreibt gut und die Psychogramme ihrer Protagonisten sind schlüssig und auch fesselnd zu lesen - nur mit dem eigentlichen Fall haben sie nichts zu tun. So könnte, wer aufgrund der Lobeshymnen auf dem Cover und dem Klappentext einen durchweg packenden Thriller erwartet, enttäuscht werden. Denn die überraschenden Wendungen beginnen erst ca. 100 Seiten vor dem Ende, aber dann haben sie es auch in sich. Bis dahin ist es ein gut geschriebener und spannend aufgebauter Krimi mit zwei Figuren, die durchaus das Potenzial für einen weiteren Fall hätten. show less

"As usual I feel a kind of sadness, but also a fascination with the irrepressible urge of human beings to kill each other."

There are three alternating narrators in the Scandi-crime novel from Sweden, including two of the investigators, Peter and Hanne, who have a complicated history. They haven't worked together in a while, and Hanne has learned that she is in the early stages of Alzheimer's, a fact that she is keeping from Peter. The third narrator is a young woman named Emma describing events taking place during the weeks before the crime. We are uncertain of her role, and don't know whether she is a victim or a perpetrator. And although she seems honest, we are not quite sure whether she's living in reality, and whether to trust her show more version of events.

As the book opens, the body of a beautiful woman lying in a pool of blood has been discovered in the home of Jesper Ore, the wealthy CEO of a fashionable retail chain. She has been decapitated, and police must first determine her identity. Jesper himself is missing.

I enjoyed this psychological thriller/police procedural. I tend to prefer my crime novels to have an emphasis on character, and not on shoot-outs. show less

The Ice Beneath Her by Camilla Grebe
3 Stars

From The Book:
Winter’s chill has descended on Stockholm as police arrive at the scene of a shocking murder. An unidentified woman lies beheaded in a posh suburban home—a brutal crime made all the more disturbing by its uncanny resemblance to an unsolved killing ten years earlier. But this time there’s a suspect: the charismatic and controversial chain-store CEO Jesper Orre, who owns the home but is nowhere to be found.

To homicide detectives Peter Lindgren and Manfred Olsson, nothing about the suave, high-profile businessman—including a playboy reputation and rumors of financial misdeeds—suggests he conceals the dark heart and twisted mind of a cold-blooded killer.

My Views:
The story show more was told from the viewpoint of three people. The dead guy didn't get much of a voice since he was missing his head. Instead of the psychological thriller portraying the murder and the hunt by the police for the killer...the story portrayed the events in the lives of the three people that lead up to the killing. Thrown into this mix was a ten year old murder that shared some of the same characteristics.

It wasn't a bad story once you get past that it's not going to be about the current murder. The writing and the plot line was easy to follow but most of the characters were not people you would care to spend an evening with let alone the rest of your life. show less

This psychological thriller set in Stockholm begins with a gruesome murder that brings together 3 distinct characters who take turns giving us their side of the story.

As DI Peter Lindgren approaches the big 5-0, he struggles with that age old question: is this all there is? Failed personal relationships & constant dealings with the dregs of society have left him battered & tired. The only thing he’s good at is his job. But when a young woman is found beheaded, it recalls a case from the past & he has to wonder. Did he get it wrong?

Emma is a young woman working for minimum wage in a clothing store. Being in a dead end job with a jerk for a boss isn’t exactly fulfilling her dreams. Thank God for Jesper, her fiancé. Sure, it’s show more complicated as he’s the CEO & they have to keep their relationship secret. Still….he chose her over all the beautiful women clamouring for his attention & he loves her. Doesn’t he?

Hanne has spent years in a loveless marriage to a condescending & controlling husband. She is slowly suffocating & losing her sense of self thanks to a diagnosis of early dementia. She used to be a profiler for the police but her life now revolves around numerous sticky notes that remind her of what she’s forgotten. When they ask for her help with a recent murder, can she deal with a ghost from her past?

Setting is important & the author uses the cold & snow to lend the story a looming, grey atmosphere. The crime happens early & police procedures are a big part of the story. But it’s really about the characters. In alternate chapters we get to know the 3 MC’s as we follow them in flashbacks from their pasts & the present day. Each is well developed & while at times I wanted to yell at Peter to snap out of it, my heart broke for Hanne. The use of 3 narrators & shifting time lines are effective, keeping the reader slightly off balance & uneasy.

We know they will all meet up at some point & suspense starts to build as each of their roles is gradually revealed. All you can do is accept each character’s POV but when discrepancies begin to pop up, who do you believe? You may think you know what’s going on but I’m willing to bet there’s at least one twist at the end that will make your jaw drop.

It’s a stylish, character driven read that will keep you guessing & a great find for lovers of nordic mystery. show less

''It feels as if I'm falling into a deep black hole again. And outside, the rain keeps falling over Stockholm. Even the sky is crying.''

I've been eagerly waiting to read this debut novel by Camilla Grebe, and I can say that, as an avid reader of Nordic thrillers, I was not disappointed.

There are many distinct characteristics of the genre in this book. The different POVs, the bleak atmosphere, the dark, psychotic plot, all those elements that have brought the Scandi-Nordic thriller at the top of the literary world. Here, we have three narrators, Peter, Emma and Hanne. Peter is the police officer that takes over the case of a particularly gruesome murder, Hanne is a woman that aids the police with the profile of the murderer and the show more particulars of the crime (think ''Criminal Minds'') and Emma is a young woman with a troubled past and even worse present.

It is extremely difficult to write a review without spoilers, so I will not delve further into the plot. I will tell you, however, that the main emotion that this book gave me was anger. So much anger...Anger because Emma had to put up with so much shit from the very early stages of her life. Anger because there are- and will always be- bastards that take advantage of those who are carried away by their emotions, in spite of all the little voices that act as a warning.

Another thing that I really liked was the realistic plot. While in the majority of, say Lackberg's novels for example, the story is a bit too neat and the events a little too convenient, here the pieces of the puzzle fall into place in a better pace, in my opinion. I loved the fact that Grebe turns the beautiful city of Stockholm into a major character, bringing forth the dark, urban side of it. This adds dimension to the story, and enriches the atmosphere. The rainy autumn afternoons are certain to win you over.

The three characters that allow us into their lives and thoughts are interesting and well-written. Peter is interesting in the sense that he doesn't represent the typical, problematic police officer who's always fighting his demons.He seemed absolutely fine to me. Emma is the heart of the story,and Hanne is the figure of the tranquil power. Jesper is better left without comments and Emma's mother wins the trophy for best mum in Scandinavia...Except NOT! What I have to admit, though, is that I had no interest in the romance between Peter and Hanne. It was cliché and boring.

The Ice Beneath Her by Camilla Grebe is one more example of the mystery genre done right, and another addition to the never-ending list of fascinating Scandinavian thrillers. Keep them coming, Northern lands! show less

This is a gripping psycho crime novel that is multi-layered, as it is not only about solving a case, but also about the psychological depths of various protagonists.
On the one hand, there is Peter, a detective who has fears of commitment, the origins of which can be found in his childhood. There is Hanna, the profiler, who has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of dementia. Then we have Emma. She remains a mystery for a long time, even though one quickly gets the feeling that she has major psychological problems. Then there is Jesper, the boss of a large clothing company. And there are Manfred and Sanchez, Peter's work colleagues.
The body of a young woman is found in the flat of the rich businessman Jesper Orre - brutally murdered. show more There is no trace of him. Ten years ago there was a very similar case - unsolved. Hanne, the profiler from back then, is therefore asked to investigate. She has to delve into the past, and her present is becoming blurred. Her existence is increasingly cracked, and the two cases connect in an unpleasant way.
The story switches back and forth between Peter, Hanna and Emma. As a reader, you are drawn into a maelstrom that won't let you go.
A very exciting story, and you hardly want to put the book aside. show less

A young woman is found beheaded in the house of a controversial CEO of a clothing chain. The identity of the woman is unknown. The businessman, Jesper Orre, has simply vanished.
The story is told from three fist-person perspectives:
The investigating DI, Peter Lindgren, a disillusioned and despondent man about to hit the big 5-0 whose only true commitment has always been his job.
A former profiler, Hanne, who is asked back to assist with the investigation when similarities to a crime from a decade ago are found. Hanne has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia and is trapped in a loveless marriage to a controlling man.
Then there's Emma's perspective which unlike the other two starts in the past and recounts her relationship with her show more fiancé, Jesper Orre. A relationship they are having to keep secret because he is her employer.
My experience with Scandinavian crime fiction has always been hit-and-miss. This one had the typical cold and bleak atmosphere and the detailed police procedural, but the alternating perspectives and the intricate insight into the past and present lives of these three intriguing and well-developed characters made this one into a definite hit. I particularly enjoyed Emma's and Hanne's perspectives. Overall, a fascinating character study, which was fast-paced and held my attention throughout. The solution to the crime becomes apparent about halfway through the novel, but it didn't lessen my enjoyment of the story at all. A very well-written debut by Swedish author Camilla Grebe, which I highly recommend if you enjoy dark Nordic character-driven fiction.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. show less