Not a single detail in the text is left hanging; everything has its reason. In his detective novels, he’s not just interested in his heroes but also allows his criminals their side of the story, so that the reader understands reasons underlying the evil they encounter.

Håkan Östlundh’s books have a touch of both Joyce Carol Oates and Dennis Lehane. His stories are based on intrigue but his details make the scenes come alive. Once you sit down to read one of his novels, you won’t want to put it down, and once you’re finished, you won’t forget them, perhaps because the solutions are not simple and morality not as clear-cut as you would imagine.

Håkan Östlund spends his summers on the Swedish island of Gotland and his winters in Stockholm. He has studied literature and worked as a journalist. He’s also written a great deal for television and film, including the detective series Höök, the drama series The Sixth Day (Sjätte dagen) and the cartoon series Jerry and his three Friends (De tre vännerna och Jerry).

Author’s website: www.hakanostlundh.se