Review: Sun Storm by Asa Larson

Rebecka Martinsson has put her past behind her. The disillusioned small town girl has been replaced by cynical tax attorney at one of the most highly regard law firms in Stockholm, but Rebecka's is stunned when she sees that Viktor, brother of childhood friend and a religious figure at a prominent church, has been murdered.  Her world is shattered when Sanna, Viktor’s sister, calls her moments later to ask for help.   

Now Rebecka must return to her childhood home to face the demons she thought she had left behind long ago. 

So I realize the plot on this sounds rather trite, but instead of sticking to the formula for this type of story – stress of going home, proving to people you’ve changed – Åsa Larsson’s paints a portrait of a woman who goes home without letting it intimidate her.   

Usually the character must stay with a parent/relative and shrinks into the child she or he was, but rather quake in fear when confronted by old foes, Rebecka stays true to the woman she has become.  She does not bend to their will, because our heroine is not there to prove how much she has changed.  Rebecka has moved beyond her small town childhood and is simply there to help a friend.   

I should warn you though, that this series is totally addicting.  Larsson’s work builds into pulse pounding conclusions with only a few pages of resolutions afterwards, resulting in some major cliff hangers.  If handle it, by all means, read on! 

Highly recommended for fans for Scandinavian crime fiction!!!