The Friend

In this elegant and action-packed stand-alone sequel to the international bestselling thrillers The Swimmer and The Believer, fierce heroine Klara Walldeen must save her dearest friend Gabriella and maneuver the politics of a Swedish diplomat—while also falling in love.

November 2015. Klara Walldeen returns to the Stockholm archipelago to bury her beloved grandfather, her best friend Gabriella by her side. What should be a trip of mourning and solitude quickly turns perilous when Gabi is arrested under suspicion of terrorist activity. After finding notes in Gabi’s purse about a clandestine meeting with a young Swedish diplomat, Klara springs into action, determined to clear her friend’s name, and find out whatever clandestine and dangerous workings she has gotten herself into.

Meanwhile, Jacob Seger, a young aspiring diplomat, arrives in Lebanon ready to embrace his future, starting with an internship at the Swedish embassy in Beirut. On his first night, he meets the handsome and mysterious Yassim. Their relationship quickly ignites into a passionate, obsessive affair that renders everything else in Jacob’s life insignificant. But when terrorist claims against Yassim are brought to light, Jacob is faced with an impossible decision, and must soon confront his role in a complicated game he is wholly unprepared to play.

Following Gabi’s trail, Klara comes face-to-face with Jacob, whom Gabi was trying to help, as well as George Loow, a suave lobbyist from her past to whom she finds herself inexorably drawn to. Now Klara, George, and Jacob set off on a race across Europe to stop a pending terrorist attack—and get to the bottom of Yassim’s true identity.

Once again, Joakim Zander spins an intricate tale of deception and suspense in a brilliant thriller that will leave readers utterly enthralled.