This book - set in Sweden - is about Julia, the mother of a young boy (Jens) who disappeared 20 years ago.
Julia is haunted by this occurrence and has become estranged from her family because of it. Julia's parents were watching Jens when he vanished and Julia can't help but blame them to some extent.
Julia's mom has since died and Julia's dad (Gerlof) has developed a serious illness. Now, someone has sent Jens' sandal to Gerlof.
Gerlof informs Julia and she goes back to visit him.
Gerlof and Julia are determined to find out what happened to Jens and set out to investigate.
They suspect that Nils, the town bully and a criminal, was involved. However, Nils fled the country long ago and is now dead - his body having been returned to his mother in Sweden.
The story is told in parallel tales - that of Julia and Gerlof investigating the death of Jens in the present and that of Nils and the murders that caused him to flee the country. Nils went to Central America and the story follows his life there - what he does and who he meets.
Theorin tells the story at a slow pace but it is so intriguing that I didn't mind too much.
The book gives you a real feel for Sweden and the Swedish people in the story. The resolution is believable and satisfying.
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