A Swedish Crime Story

By Giuseppe Cristiano

Malin needs inspiration. Her new book is due, and she has nothing. When she finds old cold cases from the seventies she thinks she has hit the jackpot. But the more she digs, and the more she learns about these murders, she realizes that something is not right. Why were these cases shut down? There is more to this story than the one she wanted to tell.
When her biggest secret is revealed, Malin finds herself in more trouble than she thought possible. Who can she trust? And can she get back from the brink of total destruction?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Seagull Editions
• Release date: May 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223858836

Book preview

Chapter One

Malin unscrewed the bottle. She watched as the red liquid filled her glass. It was her second one of the afternoon, or maybe her third. The wine warmed her from the inside, just as it always did. She sighed, closed her eyes, and leaned back in her chair. On her computer, the blank document greeted her when she opened her eyes again. The cursor blinking, blinking, blinking. She took another swig of her wine. Placing her hands over the keyboard, she started to write.

The man pulled his gun, aiming at the woman ahead. This was a long time coming, she was going to die. She tried to run, but there was no place left for her to go. Even if she screamed, she would not be heard. He had made sure of that.

She pressed the delete button hard with her index finger. It wasn’t even close to being good enough. There was no spark, no excitement in the words. She had been determined to write this book, determined to do the work she was known for. Her publisher had even signed the contract before a word was written, her older books did well enough that they trusted her to deliver something great. Except she couldn’t, and the deadline was looming like a cloud in the sky.

She grabbed her phone and started typing out a text message instead.

Do you want to come over tonight?

Her thumb hovered over ‘send’, but she didn’t press it. Instead, she just deleted the words. She wanted to see Thomas, and she also wanted to be alone. He usually could make her forget about all the shit that was swirling around in her head. His body was enough to distract anyone. And she could ask him to bring more wine. No, she couldn’t see him tonight. She needed to work. She typed out a sentence, only to delete it right away. Then she typed out another, but ended up getting rid of that as well. Malin poured some more wine. Her head was spinning, and she welcomed the sensation. It wasn’t as easy to come by anymore, it took more and more to get to that point. Staring at her screen, fingers hovering over the keyboard, Malin groaned. Why was this so hard? She had done it before. She had even done it well. But now it was as if every word she had ever known had escaped her brain. Only utter bullshit was left in its place.

She jumped when her phone rang. Picking it up, she saw her husband’s name on the screen. Well. Ex husband, she supposed. She had to get used to calling him that from then on. She considered not answering, but at least she wouldn’t have to keep staring at her computer for the next few minutes.

Hi, Viktor. She took a sip from her glass, felt the wine run down her throat and warm her up from the inside.

I’ve cleared out the garage, he said, voice short and curt. There were some things that I think are yours. Could you pick them up? Today?

She closed her eyes and suppressed a sigh. She had to take the car to get to the house. She was in no condition to drive. I’ll come by tomorrow, okay?

There was a pause. For a moment she almost thought he had hung up the phone, but then she heard him breathe out. Are you drunk?

The judgment in his voice was obvious. She hated that he noticed. I’m not drunk, Viktor.

Okay, he said, voice obviously mocking. You know, this is pathetic, Malin. It’s two o’clock on a Tuesday. How much have you had? Have you gone through a whole bottle yet? Or maybe you’re already on your second?

She clenched her teeth. She remembered now why they were no longer together. Viktor was a grade A asshole. Did you call just to be a dick to me?

He scoffed. No. I need you to pick up your stuff. Did you forget that already? Malin, for fucks sake.

I’m hanging up.

You know, this is exactly why you won’t amount to anything. He had gotten into the flow now, there was usually more insults coming once he got started. Honestly, you’re fifty years old. Grow up.

I could say the same to you, she bit off. You’re fifty five and fucking a twenty eight year old. But I guess it’s only me that needs to grow up.

Stella is everything you are not, Malin. The fact that she’s younger than me has nothing to do with anything. Our relationship is extremely meaningful, I’ll have you know.

Malin laughed. Yeah, I’m sure it is. The fact that she has tits sculpted by the most well known surgeon in Malmö has nothing to do with it, right?

I’m not having this conversation with you, Viktor said. Come get your shit.

He hung up. Malin resisted the urge to throw her phone into the wall. She couldn’t afford to replace it if it broke. Turning to the computer again, she typed out a paragraph. The main character was killing her husband right there on the first page. She deleted every word. Every shit word.

She texted Thomas after all and asked him to come over. A response came immediately, he said that he’d be there right after work. Malin sighed. That was still hours away. Walking into the kitchen, she grabbed another bottle of wine. She needed to relax, needed to clear her head. Just one more glass, then she would get herself ready for when Thomas came over. She would smile and make small talk and be sexy for him. She needed a shower, and she was down to her last pair of underwear. They weren’t her best, but they would have to do. She walked into the bathroom, blinking at the bright overhead lights. The circles under her eyes were dark, and her skin was blotchy. Her hair laid slick against her head, greasy and unwashed. She saw some gray in it, she usually colored over it, turning her back into the brunette she always had been. But not now. Setting down her wine glass on the edge of the sink, Malin got out of her clothes. She used to think she looked good, especially for her age. But now, the woman staring back at her in the mirror was a far cry from who she used to be. Gloomy skin, her formerly curvy body looked like it had sunk in on itself. She stepped into the shower and started scrubbing away at her legs, her arms, her stomach. It took forever to shave her legs, and she didn’t bother with removing any other hair on her body. That would just have to do. Smelling of soap rather than grime, she got dressed. Simple jeans and a soft long sleeved t-shirt. She scooped her still wet hair into a bun on the top of her head. Taking a look at the makeup in her bathroom cupboard, she