White Lilac: A gripping Swedish crime thriller

As Swedish midsummer casts its endless light over a quiet university town, a series of murders reveals darkness behind its polished façade.

When a young woman is found brutally assaulted, a white lilac clasped in her hand, Chief Inspector Sara Vallén is drawn into a case that soon becomes painfully personal.

The victim's link to a notorious abuser makes it clear this is no random act. Suspicion turns to Evert Karlesson, known for cultivating the rare white lilacs found at the crime scene. Until he, too, is found murdered.

Does someone want to cleanse the town of its silent sins? And if so, who is delivering this twisted form of justice?

"White Lilac" is a gripping Nordic Noir police procedural, perfect for fans of Åsa Larsson and Tove Alsterdal.

Cecilia Sahlström is a popular Swedish crime writer. She worked in the police force for twenty years before turning to writing. Her series about Sara Vallén is praised for its gritty realism and its authentic portrayal of police investigations.

"Well-written and exciting book that feels close to reality. The police work is depicted in an unusually realistic way which is not so common in today's detective stories. But the author is also an experienced police officer. Looking forward to the sequel (..) Rutles

"White Lilac feels authentic which entices further reading and I am very much looking forward to the next book about Sara and Rita."

Villa Freja

"The book is one of the better of the many detective novels that have been published in Sweden in recent years."

Inger Wassenius, BTJ

"Cecilia knows how police work is done, how people in distress behave and the strain on the police ... She portrays the police officers' drive to catch the offenders and at the same time wanting to keep family life intact ... This is what Cecilia Sahlström does very, very well. If you want some weekend excitement sitting on the couch, White Lilac is perfect."

Ulrika Larsson in P4 Halland