The Lover: "An absolutely prime slice of Scandicrime"

The Lover is a thrilling domestic thriller by Helene Flood, which follows Rikke, who is lying to her husband and the police about her affair with her upstairs neighbor, Jørgen, who has been murdered. Rikke knows she can't hide the evidence of the affair from the police, and if she's caught in her lie, suspicion will turn to her. With her perfect family life threatening to unravel, Rikke realizes that finding the killer is the only way to put herself in the clear.

Format: Hardback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 23 June 2022
Publisher: Quercus Publishing

An Absolutely Prime Slice of Scandicrime!


The writer seamlessly channels her professional expertise into a noteworthy domestic thriller. Barry Forshaw, FT, praises the book, stating, "Having hit a bull's-eye with The Therapist, Helene Flood repeats the trick with another twisty tale of domestic goings-on." The Sunday Times Crime Club also commends the book, describing it as "taut, clever, and irresistible." Anna Bailey, in her review for the Sunday Times, praises the author's storytelling skills, stating, "A wonderful storyteller." Chris Whitaker, in his review for the Sunday Express, acknowledges the author's ability to create a compelling story, describing it as "a marvellous debut thriller."


Is It Worse to Deceive to Your Husband or the Police?


Rikke finds herself in a precarious situation as she lies to both her husband and the police. But the question remains: how many lies can she get away with? When her upstairs neighbor, Jørgen, is found murdered, Rikke is questioned alongside her husband. The weight of her lies begins to bear down on her, as she struggles to confess her affair or explain the complexity of her feelings. The initial sense of relief that he is dead lingers, but Rikke knows she cannot hide the evidence of the affair from the police. If caught in her lie, suspicion will undoubtedly turn towards her.


With her perfect family life teetering on the edge, Rikke realizes that finding the killer is the only way to clear her name. However, she knows that the killer is not only after her but also after the truth. In this race against time, Rikke must navigate through a web of lies and deceit, using her wits and intuition to outsmart the killer and protect those she loves.


Praise for The Therapist:
The Therapist has received widespread praise from critics. Harriet Tyce, in her review for the Daily Mail, describes the book as "creepy, compelling, and very well written." Karen Hamilton, in her review for the Sunday Mirror, praises the book's "wonderfully creepy, twisted, and compelling" nature. Anna Bailey, for the Sunday Times, commends the book's "masterfully paced and hauntingly written" style. Jo Spain, in her review for the Daily Express, praises the author's ability to "get under your skin." Sarah Ward, in her review for the Irish Times, describes the book as "a marvellously assured debut thriller." The book has also been praised for its translation from the Norwegian by Alison McCullough, who has done a commendable job in preserving the essence of the original text.


In conclusion, The Lover is a captivating and suspenseful domestic thriller that will keep readers hooked until the very last page. With its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and skillful storytelling, this book showcases the author's talent for creating compelling and suspenseful stories. Whether you are a fan of crime fiction or simply looking for a gripping read, The Lover is a must-read that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

Weight: 672g
Dimension: 164 x 243 x 45 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529406115