Returning to the Swedish coastal town of Fjallbacka, biographer Erica Falck to sort through her deceased parents' belongings and work on her next book. But this is not the same hometown she grew up in. Summer tourists are turning the former fishing village into a thriving resort, and Erica's controlling brother-in-law is pressuring her to cash in by selling the family home. Erica is struggling with her childhood memories as she tries to come to term with her abupt parents death.
The apparent suicide of childhood friend Alexandra Wijkner contributes to Erica's grief. Once inseparable, they drifted apart before Alex's family abruptly moved away, and Erica feels compelled to write a novel about why the beautiful Alex would kill herself. During the investigation she meets police detective Patrick who she knew growing up. The initial meeting quicky developes into a passionate affair.
The story is somewhat complicated as we see many different points of view that provide some red heerings. A very compleling mystery series set in cold country of Sweden, which during Phoenix hot summers is refreshing.