STEFAN AHNHEM grew up in Helsingborg, Sweden, and now lives in Denmark. He began his career as a screenwriter, and among his credits is the adaptation of Henning Mankell’s Wallander series for TV. His first novel, Victim Without a Face, won Crimetime’s Novel of the Year in Sweden, and became a top-ten bestseller in Germany, Sweden and Ireland. Eighteen Below was a top-three bestseller in Germany, Sweden and Norway. Stefan Ahnhem has been published in twenty-five countries to date.

AGNES BROOMÉ is a translator of Swedish literature. She holds a PhD in Translation Studies, and her translations include August Prize winner The Expedition by Bea Uusma.

Acknowledgements

Writing a book is like crossing an ocean. It’s just you, the water and the horizon, no matter which way you look. Or at least, that is how it can feel sometimes. The truth is, without help and guidance, I would not have made it very far before the water inevitably entered my lungs and I sunk helplessly to the ocean floor.

My wife Mi has always been there, lifeboat in tow, to cheer me on, read drafts and give feedback – invaluable feedback that eventually helped me reach the shore and feel the ground beneath my feet again. Thank you.

My two eldest, Kasper and Filippa, have supported me when the waves seemed perilously high and the story was impossible to finish. Thank you for always listening and telling me exactly what I needed to hear.

My two youngest, Sander and Noomi. Thank you for existing and for reminding me that there are other things to live for besides work and the next book. Without you, I would be hopelessly old in every way.

My editor, Andreas. This is our fourth book together, and it becomes more enjoyable with every one. Without you I would never dare pursue what is interesting, rather than what is safe. Thank you for that and for access to your thoughts and ideas.

Julia, time flies and soon it will have been two years. I would never have reached the millionth reader in the thirty-something countries in which my books have been published if it hadn’t been for you. Adam, Sara and Hannah at Forum. Concentrated excellence. Thank you for everything you do and more.

King of Sales. I cannot claim that these books would not exist without you, but they would never have reached such a wide audience as they do now. You have been there since my debut, Victim Without a Face, and made sure that my Sveavägen-based publishing house have given these books their all.

Lastly, I want to thank Johanna Björkman and Thomas Vedel Larsen for their expertise.

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