Read in 2025 - 11: Himmel über London

Himmel über London

Håkan Nesser

During our holiday in Austria, I browsed the hotel's extensive book shelves for a paperback to read while relaxing in the spa and in our room, and came across this one. I finished it on the very last evening and returned it to the shelf before checking out the next morning.

Himmel über London ("Sky Over London") is not my first read by this Swedish author. Decades ago, I read his "Kim Novak"-one, and then sporadically one or two of his books featuring detective Van Veeteren, but all this was either before I started my blog or before I started posting reviews of what I've been reading.

"Himmel über London" is a standalone novel, constructed in a way that keeps the reader thinking and wondering almost until the very end, where it all comes together and pieces fall into place.

There are several layers to the story, plus a "meta" layer, which is revealed only very gradually, making it a really interesting read, quite different from other books.

The main character is Leonard, a man who intends to celebrate his 70th birthday in London, where he lived during his youth. Since then, he has become very wealthy. Living in the US with his American wife, he now returns, terminally ill and knowing that this will be his very last birthday. His grown-up step-children are invited to the party, as well as two mystery guests. Only Leonard knows who they are, and why he wants them there.

While he continues with his preparations, a serial killer is on the loose in London, but what does this have to do with the story?

Chapters alternate not only between the main characters' perspectives (Leonard, his wife, the two step-children who have very special problems of their own, and one of the mystery guests). They also alternate between Leonard's present and his past, but it is always clear where and when we are, and who the narrator is. Add the meta layer, ultimately holding all the strings together.

It was a very intriguing read, seemingly straighforward at first, and becoming more and more complex - never to the point that I "lost the plot", but complex. I enjoyed it and really found it unputdownable at times. With one exception, I didn't like or relate to any of the characters, and when things turned out well for that one character in the end, I was relieved.

The author is very popular in Germany. Some of his books have been adapted for TV, and one of his first novels has become part of the reading curriculum in Swedish schools, according to the German wikipedia article. You can learn more about him on his own website.