This is an English translation of the Swedish megahit 'Sprängaren'. Childish, I guess, but I thought it was really cool to come across an American edition of a Scandinavian novel. :-) I decided to buy it and register it so I could send it out on a bookray - it'll be great to see what foreigners think of this book. Americans and other exotic creatures. :-)

I like this book a lot - although the second book is perhaps my favorite in the series so far (I haven't read all of them yet) - and I love the movie (directed by one of my favorite directors, Colin Nutley, and starring the one & only Helena Bergström as Annika Bengtzon) as well.

The blurb:
''International hot property...' - Publishers Weekly
The sensational and utterly unforgettable thriller that exposes the soul of a culture ... the heart of a people ... and the mind of a killer.
A bomb has destroyed Stockholm's new Olympic arena just months before the Summer Games. And it has blown someone to pieces. Will the person responsible become Annika Bengtzon's biggest story - or the final nail in her coffin?
As the only female editor at a Swedish tabloid, Annika is fighting for respect. Increasingly consumed by her job, she may even lose her family in the process. Now, she has a hunch - and a secret source - telling her that the blast was something other than terrorism. It was personal. And Annika knows that if she closes in on the truth, she will likely end up on the Bomber's list of victims.
Liza Marklund's extraordinary writing, bone-chilling plot, and irrestible heroine have created an international phenomenon in this electrifying bestseller.
Includes an excerpt from STUDIO SEX, Liza Marklund's next thriller featuring Annika Bengtzon.'

I got this at Lucky Eddies, a used book/comics/CDs/DVDs store in Trondheimsveien in Oslo, Norway. It's in very good shape, looks like it's hardly even been read.

I'm offering this as an international bookray.
The book will be sent out along with a region free dvd (Swedish language, no subtitles, unfortunately) containing the movie 'Sprängaren'.

Here's the forum thread:
http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/20/4196562

Participants:
Bookworm-lady, Madrid, Spain (ships within Europe)
Jinglefish, Surrey, England, UK (ships anywhere)
Triggerfish, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK (ships anywhere by surface)
nuttyreader, Wichita Falls, Texas, USA (ships anywhere, prefers US)
Rrrcaron, Lancaster, New Hampshire, USA (ships anywhere)
Lemonitsa, Quebec, Montreal, Canada (ships anywhere) <---- BOOK IS HERE

RELEASE NOTES:

I sent this off to Bookworm-lady in Madrid about half an hour ago. Surface mail, but it probably won't take long. I also sent the dvd in the same package, I hope it makes the trip safely. :-)

I can't wait to hear what everybody thinks! :-)

I received it on Wednesday, before leaving for Easter holiday!
Lookinf forward to reading it and giving my feedback to you...
I will try to watch the DVD as well, just to get a feeling (of course, I won't understand a word they say...)
Thanks for sharing, LeishaCamden!

I really, really enjoyed this book!
The main character, Annika, was thoroughly credible; the author does not try to conceal the fact that she is pulled between her family life and her work... and the latter wins!
I didn''t guess the ending at all; the suspense mounted on.
There is a lot of knowledge and research about how a newspaper works; very credible and interesting!
Besides, all the description of Christmas in Sweden seemed very appealing to me.
Congratulations to my colleague, the translator, as well!
Keeps me wanting to read some more...
As promised, I watched part of the DVD. Annika looked just like I had imagined her, as well as her workplace. And that seldom happens after you have read a book!
I sent it today by mail (DVD and all) to Jinglefish, in U.K.
Thanks for sharing, LeishaCamden, and sorry that I took so long!

Book and DVD arrived safely today - thanks Bookworm-lady. I have one ring to finish then straight into this:-)

Finished this yesterday and quite enjoyed the read. I have to say that thrillers are not my usual preferred genre but wanting a change of direction and the fact that the author was Swedish drew me to this title. I thought the book was predictable but agree with Bookworm-lady in that Annika is believable as I'm sure the many personalities of her colleagues are as well. I liked the tussle between family and work responsibilities as it's something I constantly wrestle with - but think that if ever a follow up were to be written we'd find Annika predominantly in a family role rather than a professional role - just a gut feeling - she'd probably start her own PR Agency or something and move to the country to focus on family life - at least that's what I think!

I will state categorically that I'm totally intrigued by "glogg". Have to research what this is and try it.... LOL!

I've PM'd Triggerfish for her address and over this weekend will hopefully find some time to have a look at the Dvd before moving along.

Finally found some time to watch some of the DVD and it was pretty much as I visualised - of course, the dialogue was completely lost on me but having the satisfaction of having read the book I could fill in the blanks. I'm not sure how much reference was made to our first victim that was unclear in the film from the scenes I watched (I skipped the more verbal ones!) The ending was different visually to how I imagined as well but I think there may have been a little more artistic licence taken re lighting etc. Oh, for some reason I imagined the bomber to be much younger, more athletic looking.

Anyway have posted book and DVD today to Triggerfish for her to enjoy.

Thanks LeishaCamden for sharing.

Picked this up from delivery office today. Postman had been unable to get it through my letter box, last Friday. Looks good, will read on my return from holiday.
Thanks for sending, Jinglefish.

I really enjoyed this book and will look out for more books by Marklund. The work/home dilemmas of the protagonist, Annika, were very realistic and added interest and tension to the story. I also enjoyed reading about the workings of a newspaper. In fact I enjoyed these things as much as the thriller part of the plot! I thought the translation was excellent, too.

I hope you have found out about glogg, Jinglefish! I enjoyed it on a trip to Copenhagen many years ago, so I guess it's a Scandinavian beverage, not just Swedish. I highly recommend it!

I am slowly working my way through the "Scandinavian Noir" authors, so was delighted to have had chance to add Marklund to my list! Thank you LeishaCamden.

I have nuttyreader's address, but there is a postal strike here at moment...
I will post book as soon as I can.

Posted by surface mail today.

Yes! The book and DVD arrived today.
Thanks so much and I know I will enjoy it.
Triggerfish thanks for the nice postcard.

Loved the book - now I need to look up a lot on the internet about Sweden. Will watch the DVD prior to mailing to the next crosser. I hope to read more of her books.
FYI I did look up glogg on line and other things. The drink sounds a lot like a German Christmas drink. I can not dream of making an apointment to use a self serve car wash or the laundry in an apartment complex. I do think I would like to live where there are bus services better than in my town however.

Gave this to my daughter who does my mailing for me. She will get it off this week as soon as she can get time to go to the PO.

Received this in the mail yesterday. Will get to it as soon as I can.
Ruth

The book is on the move. It will be on the move tomorrow.
Ruth

I received the book this morning and I'm looking forward to reading it. I didn't get the DVD with it, though, and was wondering if it's coming in a second package?

Will try to get this read quickly. My brother might read it, too, as he likes mysteries/thrillers and will be interested in reading something which was not written in English originally.

Well, after nearly 2 years from its arrival date, I finished reading this book. It was first read by my brother who enjoys action mysteries, then my cousin grabbed it because she, too, wanted to read something not originally written in English. I started it 4 days ago and continued straight through while watching the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics (a good time to coordinate the book with real life events!)

I enjoyed this story very much. The characters were real and not overdone. The emotions felt by all were well written and the sense of urgency to find the Bomber and see what Annika would do with work v. family was exciting. 8 1/2 stars

Thanks very much, Leisha, for sending this out. I'm glad I was a part of the ring and the only thing more that I wish is that I'd gotten the DVD. I believe it would have been a great film to watch.

(finished)

Sending this to a BC/BO friend May 28th. She is one of the winners of my anniversary draw on BookObsessed. I hope she likes my choice :)

Cheers and hugs!

Thanks Lemmy for thinking of me with this book! It looks quite interesting. I'm a sucker for a good thriller and it's always nice to get your hands on something that you would be unlikely to find in the local book store. Thanks again!

Stockholm is getting ready for the Olympics, when there is a bombing in one of the main stadiums, killing one person. The public wants to know if this was a targeted attack or whether it was terrorism. Annika heads up the crime desk at a local newspaper and wants to get to the bottom of who did this and why. She's a female in a male-dominated industry and feels not only the pressure of leading a team of men, but also the difficulties of balancing work and home life. However she has great instincts as a journalist and hunts down some leads before any other journalists do.

This is an interesting mystery/thriller from the journalist's perspective rather than the detective's. And it's set in Sweden, which few mystery books that I read are set in. It makes for an interesting change of pace.

I liked Annika's struggles over being a female not respected by her male peers and her work life balance. However it did get to a point where I thought the author started to overplay it and was really beating our heads with this fact. I would have appreciated it more if it was a bit more subtle.

I felt a little disappointed with the ending. It was a bit predictable and definitely over dramatic.

To the finder of this book: I hope you enjoy reading this book. Please keep it or set it free when you're done. If the book is of no interest to you, please release it into the wild for someone else to find and enjoy. I hope you will make a journal entry so its journey can be tracked and to let me know the book has been found. You can remain anonymous if you wish, but if you join BookCrossing, you are in for a great experience.