Woman on the Bench

A secret lover. A haunted rectory. A trap that's been waiting since the Stone Age. Detective Inspector Jesper Ek is a man possessed. He has fallen head over heels for Julia, a woman as captivating as she is guarded. But Julia is a mystery with a past that won't stay buried. When her dark history finally catches up with her, a lethal trap snaps shut. Torn between fierce loyalty and a mounting pile of incriminating facts, the police department begins to fracture. While Ek's life spirals, Detective Inspector Maria Wern is called to the ancient rectory in Lärbro to investigate a series of gruesome, ritualistic threats. The target is Alva, a young priest who refuses to take the danger seriously. But the evidence suggests a fanatic is recreating a 13th-century legend: the story of a priest-slayer who, according to local myth, still walks the Gotlandic earth. As Alva and Julia's cases collide in a web of ancient runes and occult worship, Maria uncovers a connection to a prehistoric cult-a bond forged in a past that neither woman could escape. In this eerie nineteenth installment of the Maria Wern series, international bestseller Anna Jansson masterfully weaves together modern forensic science and ancient rites. On an island where legends have teeth, Maria must find the truth before the past claims its next victim. 'Anna Jansson has a very unique style and an extraordinary gift. She will gently lead you into a world where anything and everything is possible. And you can't stop following.' - Peter Stormare