I love this series but I really do prefer the ones that take place in the summer in the Swedish archipelago. That really sets them apart from other mysteries. This mystery was solid if a bit boring---I am not terribly interested in financial crimes and thanks to Nora's job we get a lot of those but I really did feel for the characters. I thought the henchman who tried to help was especially well done.

I do find it odd she skips so much time in the books, especially since they don't take place in the summer exclusively any more. The children are so old now and barely in them and we don't get a sense of Nora's relationships with anyone but Thomas any more.

I love this series, and this book did not disappoint.
Nora finds herself in the middle of building a case against a brutal man, Andreis. She is working on getting him convicted for tax evasion, when it becomes apparent that he is also excessively abusive to his wife. Her life long friend ,Thomas, is working on a murder case, which also seems to be connected to Andreis. Can Nora, with the help of Leila and Thomas, find a way to protect Mina, Andreis' wife, from his abuse, and get him sentenced to a long term in jail? And, how many people will get hurt or killed in the process?
Great combination of action, suspense, family and friendship!
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is one of my favorite series and I so look forward to a new one . Ms. Sten did not disappoint and I hope you will like this one as much as I did.

Domestic violence holds center place in this story and it portrays the underlying brutality a huge majority of women suffer when caught in this horrible web. Nora and Thomas find themselves committed to bringing an evil criminal to justice and saving his battered wife and son at the same time. There is darkness in these pages, and you will feel the anxiety and fear permeate your soul as you follow their attempts to save this strong, but beaten down young woman. The ending will leave you tense and breathless, but just wait until you read the very end!

Vivica Sten keeps things fresh with her latest in the Sandhamn series. Nora Linde is working as an attorney investigating financial crimes when her latest case intersects with a domestic violence assault. The novel is fraught with tension as Nora works to assemble her case and Thomas seeks clues in his investigation, all while the looming presence of an abusive husband looms in the background. As always, you're in a for a good read with this book.

Thanks to AmazonCrossing for access to a digital ARC via NetGalley.

I have read and liked all of the Sandhamn series. This book is different in that it is more a domestic noir than a mystery thriller. The heavy topic of domestic violence is dealt with giving the perspective of both the abuser and the victim. The plot has more work for Nora than Thomas. Some parts are overly dramatic and exaggerated. The book felt dragging at places. For fans of domestic drama.

Another winner from the author. His usual masterpiece filled with mystery and intrigue. A good storyline which keeps the reader turning the pages. A book which I would recommend to all.

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Crossing for the eARC.
I've read every book in the Sandham series and this 9th was definitely the darkest. The subject of domestic violence looms large and it's quite disturbing. Nora is heavily involved, not only career wise but emotionally as well. Thomas takes a backseat in this story as he's struggling with his personal life.
Mina's husband has become increasingly more violent and the last time he attacked her, he almost killed her. She's so terrified of him that she feels there's no way out for her and her baby son. As he's being investigated for fraudulent financial dealings he becomes more frustrated and increasingly dangerous. He's a terrifying monster and his lawyer comes close to being one as well...She's dreadful and will do anything to win her case.
It's easy to feel sorry for her, especially her poor baby, but I also felt frustrated with her decisions.
There's a feeling of impending doom throughout the book, which made me uncomfortable, but I couldn't put it down, reading till my eyes hurt.
Definitely recommended!

After nine books in the “Sandhamn Murders” series, the author could have made herself comfortable and kept writing the same story again and again, so it is much appreciated to see that she keeps reinventing the series with new characters and new approaches to the mystery genre.

Some instalments ago there was a temporal jump in the main characters’ lives and now, after several books in this new timeline, there’s a veer from the more traditional police procedural mystery to a suspense/thriller with a touch of legal.

In this case, the main focus of the plot is violence against women. Although both Nora and Thomas are involved in the case, it is Nora the one who takes the weight of the story, being Thomas being more of a secondary character and more worried with his personal problems. You can’t help to empathize with Mina although some of her actions are difficult to understand. Andreis, her husband, is such a hateful and terrifying character, and responsible of some pretty upsetting scenes. The sense of menace was conveyed every time he came around.

But the character I found the most disgusting of all was Andreis’ lawyer. I can understand he’s her client and she must protect his interests but, seriously? To that point? How could you put your job above someone’s life?

The short chapters kept up the tension quite high the whole story making it almost impossible to stop turning the pages. The Bosnia flashbacks made an interesting backstory, making you feel the fear and the hopelessness of the war.

Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Crossing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review