| Author(s) | Camilla Läckberg |
|---|---|
| Translator | Steven T. Murray |
| Language | English |
| Subject(s) | Popular Fiction/Contemporary Thrillers |
| Genre(s) | Crime |
| Publisher | Harper |
| Publication date | June 20, 2011 |
| Published in English |
April 1, 2008 |
| Pages | 400 pages |
| ISBN | ISBN 000741949X |
| Preceded by | Flavours from Fjällbacka |
| Followed by | Super Charlie |
The Hidden Child (Swedish: Tyskungen) is a novel written by Swedish writer Camilla Läckberg.
Erica Falck is shocked to discover a dubious medal among her late mother's possessions dating from this era. This is perhaps a reference to the other 'holocaust'-the nuclear variety-when the truth of what this might mean hits. Haunted by a disturbed childhood she decides to investigate,[1] unwittingly endangering her husband and newborn baby.[2]
The Hidden Child Foundation to which the title perhaps refers is a charity for Holocaust survivors.[3]
Erika wants to write a 'great-book' so Patrik goes on paternity leave to look after the baby whilst this occurs; then unexplained things start to happen: an elderly neighbour is found dead – not just that, but he has been dead for some time.[4] What's more, this guy knew Erika's late mother. Erica consults a local historian of World War 2, however, shortly after her visit, he is brutally murdered and it becomes clear that the past is still very much a part of some people's lives. [5]The plot focuses on the discovery of a child's blood spattered vest plus other memorabilia.[6] Who would murder so cold-bloodedly to bury secrets so ancient? [7] By way of a side-theme Melberg adopts a stray mutt finding that this leads to a meeting with another pooch owner who happens to be the mater of his new detective, Paul Morales; this provides a counterpoint to the increasingly sordid facts being unearthed in the search for the murderer. [8]
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