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It seems as though some of the most exciting new authors in recent years have come from Scandinavia. But while first-time author Joakim Zander was born in Sweden—giving him the Scandinavian pedigree that will help him get noticed—he’s spent his life traveling the world. And he puts his globe-trotting experiences to good use in his fast-paced international spy thriller, The Swimmer.
The story follows an aging CIA agent as he struggles to atone for the sins of his past. Decades ago, he lost the woman he loved to a car bomb that was meant for him—and, in order to maintain his cover, he was forced to abandon his infant daughter, Klara. Since then, he’s struggled with his guilt, anger, and regret, all the while knowing that Klara would be safer without him.
Klara is now building a promising career in international politics. But when her ex-boyfriend receives information that a mysterious organization would kill to protect, Klara suddenly finds that her own life is in danger, too.
The Swimmer tells a gripping tale of secrets and lies—of the horrors of war and the innocent people who end up caught in the crossfire. The action races across the globe—from Stockholm to Brussels, Damascus to Washington, D.C.—as Klara, her friends, and the father she never knew all find themselves trying to battle a shady organization that will stop at nothing to keep their deepest, darkest secrets buried.
Admittedly, the beginning of the novel feels rather chaotic. Zander spends the first several chapters introducing the main players, moving from one to the next with each new chapter. It takes some time to get to know the characters—to be able to keep all of their stories straight—but the cliffhangers at the end of each chapter help to build suspense and keep the action moving at a swift pace.
Eventually, though, the characters and their stories begin to come together, taking plenty of unexpected turns along the way. As the action plays out, layers upon layers of crimes and conspiracies are revealed, forcing innocent bystanders to learn to play the game in order to survive. Each character has some important decisions to make. Klara must decide whether to come forward—to try to salvage her reputation by telling her side of the story—or to keep running. Her father must decide whether to remain silent or to stand up to the powers that be to save his daughter. And the choices they make give the story both tension and depth.
The Swimmer is a shadowy but suspenseful novel—a fast-moving adventure about spies, warriors, and the disturbing stories that often play out in secret. If you love a good conspiracy theory, you’ll want to go on the run to seek out this international thriller.
Listen to the review on Shelf Discovery:
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