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When the body of a man washes ashore on the Swedish island of Sandhamn, it seems likely he just accidentally drowned. But when his cousin, interviewed as part of the investigation, ends up dead not long afterward, it seems likely that both are murders, and probably linked.
Inspector Thomas Andreasson is called in to investigate. He has ties to the island — his longtime best friend, Nora Linde, lives there with her family, including his young godson, and he has a summer cottage on the nearby island of Harö. So while Thomas — and everyone else in the city — is looking forward to getting to his annual four-week vacation, he’s at least at home in the area.
Residents of Sandhamn are stunned by the killings. Their quiet, idyllic island is one where everyone knows each other. It’s a popular spot for vacationers in the summer, getting even more so, but even with the increasing influx of strangers, it’s safe. Happy. So are outsiders to blame for these deaths? Or could it possibly be one of their own?
Thomas works through what seem to be precious few clues as he tries to continue to get back to life after the death of his baby daughter and the end of his marriage months before. Nora is facing some challenges herself as the story goes on. And she has some insights and talents to share with Thomas as the case proceeds.
As a mystery, Still Waters didn’t really stand out for me. I guessed correctly less than halfway through the perpetrator and the reason for the killings, so that was a downside. The writing also was just average. But I did enjoy reading about an area of the world I haven’t visited or read a whole lot about, which is always welcome.
Rated: Moderate, for roughly five uses of strong language and some more instances of milder language. There are a few spots of mild or moderate sexual references, briefly describing some fondling, one just indicating married sex would happen but not going further. There are some instances of peril and a couple of places where some blood and gore are described in moderate detail.
