Camilla Lackberg Books in Order

Where to Start with Camilla Läckberg

For readers looking to dive into Camilla Läckberg's world, the absolute best place to start is with the international bestseller The Ice Princess. This novel introduces the iconic crime-solving duo of writer Erica Falck and detective Patrik Hedström, setting the stage for the renowned Fjällbacka series. Beginning here allows you to experience the evolution of their relationship and the town's unfolding mystery in the sequence the author intended.

If you prefer high-stakes psychological revenge over traditional police procedurals, you might instead choose to start with her standalone trilogy opener, The Golden Cage. For fans of locked-room mysteries and mentalism, the trilogy co-authored with Henrik Fexeus starting with Trapped provides an excellent alternative entry point.

The Fjällbacka Series (Patrik Hedström & Erica Falck)

The Fjällbacka series is Camilla Läckberg's signature contribution to Nordic noir. Set in her actual picturesque birthplace—a coastal village that harbors dark, generational secrets—the series blends gritty crime investigation with the cozy, domestic lives of Erica and Patrik. Reading these books in order is highly recommended, as the overarching soap-opera-style personal lives of the recurring characters develop continuously from one book to the next.

Fjällbacka Books in Publication Order

• The Ice Princess (2003) – Erica Falck returns to Fjällbacka after her parents' death and becomes entangled in the apparent suicide of a childhood friend.
• The Preacher (2004) – Patrik Hedström investigates the murder of a young woman, which unearths twenty-year-old secrets involving a family of preachers.
• The Stonecutter (2005) – The drowning of a young girl reveals deep-seated historical feuds and psychological torment within the community.
• The Gallows Bird / The Stranger (2006) – Patrik manages a bizarre car crash investigation that spirals into a serial killer hunt, while Erica plans their wedding.
• The Hidden Child (2007) – Erica digs into her late mother's WWII diary and old Nazi medals, triggering deadly consequences in the present day.
• The Drowning (2008) – A local author receives death threats, and his missing friend's body is discovered, leading Patrik into a dark web of blackmail.
• The Lost Boy (2009) – A city official is murdered, and the investigation leads to a nearby island known as 'Ghost Island,' where spirits are said to walk.
• Buried Angels (2011) – Erica investigates an Easter family disappearance from 1974 when a survivor returns to renovate the old family farm.
• The Ice Child (2014) – A missing girl wanders out of a freezing forest and is hit by a car, leading to the discovery of a horrific underground chamber.
• The Girl in the Woods (2017) – The murder of a young child at the same farm where a girl died thirty years prior reopens old wounds and historical witch trials.
• The Cuckoo (2022) – Two separate, brutal crimes—a renowned photographer's murder and a literary tragedy—force Patrik and his team to search for links in the past.
• Gråterskan (Swedish publication 2025; translated as The Mourner or The Weeper) – The twelfth installment, continuing the complex investigative and domestic lives of the Fjällbacka characters.

The Scent of Almonds (Companion Novella)

Published in Swedish in 2008 and in English in 2012, The Scent of Almonds is a cozy, locked-room murder mystery set on the snowed-in island of Valö. While it features Patrik Hedström's police colleague Martin Molin, it acts as a standalone spin-off. It is best read anytime after The Stonecutter to avoid minor character placement spoilers, though it is not mandatory to understand the main series arc.

Faye's Revenge Trilogy

Stepping away from the small-town secrets of Fjällbacka, Läckberg wrote a suspenseful, feminist revenge thriller series. It centers on Faye Adelheim, a woman who built her husband's business empire only to be betrayed, leading her to seek absolute vengeance. The tone is faster, sexier, and darker than the Erica Falck books.

1. The Golden Cage / The Gilded Cage (2019/2020)
2. Silver Tears (2020)
3. Dreams of Bronze (Swedish: Drömmar av brons, 2024)

Mina Dabiri and Vincent Walder Trilogy

Co-authored with renowned Swedish mentalist Henrik Fexeus, this trilogy features police officer Mina Dabiri and celebrity mentalist Vincent Walder. The books lean heavily into puzzles, psychological illusions, and police procedural intricacies. The series must be read in order due to the heavy focus on the characters' shared personal histories and psychological challenges.

1. Trapped (Swedish: Box, 2021)
2. Cult (Swedish: Kult, 2022)
3. Mirage (Swedish: Mirage, 2023)

Super-Charlie Children's Series

For something entirely different, Camilla Läckberg wrote the Super-Charlie children's books, inspired by her youngest son. The stories follow a baby who gains superhero powers but keeps them hidden from his parents. While not part of her crime catalog, these highly successful Swedish picture books highlight the author's versatility.

What to Know Before You Start

When starting Camilla Läckberg's books, keep in mind that translation dates can sometimes vary significantly from original Swedish publication years. For the best reading experience, always refer to the original publication sequence outlined above rather than when the English editions hit shelves. If you prefer to skip around, the Faye and Mina/Vincent series must still be read chronologically, whereas the Fjällbacka books can occasionally be read as individual cases, although you will miss out on the emotional growth of Erica and Patrik's family.