“Cult” is the second volume in a trilogy (so many volumes have been announced so far in the series) co-written by Camilla Läckberg, a popular Swedish crime and thriller author, and Henrik Fexeus, a mentalist and star of Swedish television. A year ago, the first volume of the series entitled “The Mentalist” (original title “Box”). According to the information provided on the writer’s website, the last part of the series with Vincent Walder and Mina Dabiri will be called “Mirage”. Is it worth reaching for the novels published so far, if you haven’t already done so?
Is “Kult” a better read than “The Mentalist”?
Two years after the events described in The Mentalist, the paths of policewoman Mina Dabiri and performer Vincent Walder cross again. The reason is the kidnapping of a five-year-old boy, Ossian Walthersson. Quite quickly, the investigators discover that the case is confusingly similar to the unsolved homicide from a year ago, the victim of which was a young Lily Meyer. Only three days passed from the kidnapping to the discovery of the girl’s body. The clock is ticking, the race against time begins…
The search for the missing child is handled by the team known from the first volume, now supported by a new member, negotiator Adam Blom. And the cult expert and TV star Nova. Semi-officially, mentalist Vincent Walder also joins the investigators. However, it will not be an easy investigation, because the perpetrator not only covers his tracks well, but also gives false clues.
Will the reader follow them along with the heroes of the novel? Not necessarily – in the case of a crime mystery, “Cult” is a more predictable novel than “The Mentalist”. Despite the apparent complexity of the intrigue and multi-story puzzles.
“Cult” is also a less brutal and bloody thriller than “The Mentalist” when it comes to the way crime is depicted. Perhaps the story circulating around the kidnapping of children seemed scary enough to the authors. To sum up: Although it is quite easy to guess who the villain is here, it does not take away from the pleasure of reading. Läckberg and Fexeus give a lot in return. However, these are not the typical advantages of thrillers.
Thriller straight from Sweden
Camilla Läckberg built her popularity on The Saga of Fjällbaka. Crime stories with a very extensive moral plot appealed to the readers. And this way of presenting reality and heroes also works well in the case of thrillers from the Vincent Walder and Min Dabiri series. A large part of “The Mentalist” and “The Cult” are devoted to descriptions of the private lives of the characters – not only the main characters, but also the supporting ones, i.e. the entire investigative team. Some readers may find this slowing things down too much, but those less bloodthirsty – including myself – will see this as a big plus in Camilla Läckberg and Henrik Fexeus’s books. The authors move in this matter efficiently, touching at the same time interesting topics. The following threads run like in a kaleidoscope: women’s rights, racism, the growing popularity of populist right-wing parties and religious sects. But don’t worry, it’s not “didactic”.
Just like in Camilla Läckberg’s detective stories about Fjällbacka, the setting itself is also important in the new series. “Kult” is a literary walk through Stockholm. In the footsteps of crime, but this type of tourism is nothing new. Both “The Mentalist” and “Kult” would be great as guides for such a “journey”. Despite some inaccuracies to which the authors admit directly in the afterword of the first volume of the series.
Vincent Walder and Mina Dabiri – the perfect duo
The biggest advantage of the series, however, are its main characters – quite original not only against the background of previous books by the Swedish queen of detective fiction, but also novels of the genre in general. In The Mentalist, the intrigue was built around the past of the title mentalist Vincent Walder. A man who lives from recognizing the emotions of other people, and privately because of Asperger’s syndrome, he is clumsy even in relations with his own wife and children.
In “Cult” the policewoman Mina Dabiri comes to the fore, struggling with anxiety disorders and addiction – this time we learn a bit more about her past, her abandoned daughter Nathalie and her mother, who managed to overcome alcoholism years later.
This seemingly mismatched duo solves increasingly complex puzzles (and there are plenty of them here). Until the finale, where the action picks up speed. The tension also increases thanks to the increasingly complicated relationship between the characters.
Will the friendship between Vincent and Mina develop into something more? This is not the only catch that the authors accuse. The second is mysterious packages with encrypted messages that the mentalist receives. If you want to know their meaning, you just have to reach for the last volume of the trilogy. I’m sure there will be many such readers. Not without reason – Camilla Läckberg and Henrik Fexeus managed to write a very good novel together for the second time. One whose place on the bestseller lists is most justified.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
