Currently Reading - The Black Path, Asa Larsson

Another excellent Scandinavian author - The Black Path is Åsa Larsson's third book (Sun Storm aka The Savage Altar, The Blood Split being the first two).  The books are set in the same region of Sweden that the author comes from - a small place deep in the north of Sweden (it's the northernmost city, situated in Lappland).

The books have that classic sense of place and sense of society that I love about Scandinavian books, but they have a slightly different twist in that her central protagonist - Attorney Rebecka Martinsson - is a complicated character in her own right.  To understand what is happening to Rebecca you may want to read the first couple of books, although if you're the sort of reader who can just accept a character has a backstory and dive in - then you could do worse than dive into The Black Path.

From the Blurb:

The dead woman was found on a frozen lake, her body riddled with evidence of torture.  Instantly, Inspector Anna-Maria Mella knows she needs help.  Because the dead woman - found in workout clothes with lacy underwear beneath them - was a key player in a mining company whose tentacles reach across the globe.  Anna-Maria needs a lawyer to help explain some things - and she knows one of the best.

Opening Lines:

Extract from case notes 12 September 2003 regarding patient Rebecka Martinsson.

Reason for contact:  Patient admitted to Kiruna Hospital with facial injuries after a fall & trauma to head.  On admission found to be in acute state of psychosis.  Surgical treatment of facial injuries necessary; patient therefore sedated.  On waking, clear psychotic symptoms still present.  Decision made to section patient under 3 § LPT.  Transferred to psychiatric clinic at St Göran's hospital, Stockholm - secure unit.  Preliminary diagnosis: psychosis UNS.  Treatment:  Risperdal mix 8 mg/day plus Sobril 50 mg/day.