After "Millenium", David Lagercrantz illuminates "Obscuritas"

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• Today, David Lagercrantz talks about his new novel, "Obscuritas", published on October 5, 2022 by Harper Collins Noir Editions.

Julie "Musemanias Books" and Laure "La liseusehappy", contributors to the 20 Minutes Books reading group, recommend "Obscuritas" by David Lagercrantz, whom they interviewed for

and whose book was published on October 5, 2022 at the Harper Collins Black Editions.

Their interview:

How did you come up with the idea of ​​integrating the US secret prison scandal into your story?

I think it is very difficult to grasp the times in which we live.

Very early on, I had this desire to go back in time, to find the point of no return.

The moment when everything changed.

After the Cold War, but also after 9/11, I felt there was some kind of hope in the world.

That the world was united against evil – then something went very wrong.

The United States abandoned all legal principle, believing that it could fight evil with evil.

It is not possible.

You end up with a devastating result.

Suddenly hope disappeared and was replaced by polarization and hatred between the Arab world and the West.

Also, over time I have come to understand that not only do serial killers follow specific patterns, but that torture also follows cultural patterns.

Each culture using its own method of torture, it is possible to distinguish each of them.

The idea that I could create a hero who could recognize a particular method and culture-specific pattern appealed to me.

Do you claim the fact that in Obscuritas, we can feel the influence of Millenium?

For example, the investigator is called Micaela, she is in a duo with a Hans man, not a police officer.

Isn't this a nod to Millenium where the journalist investigator is named Michael and is in duet with Lisbeth, a non-journalist?

Each of my books is in one way or another influenced by another.

After following in Stieg Larsson's footsteps, I was naturally inspired by him.

Moreover, I kept almost the same narrative scheme as him.

However, Micaela is called Micaela simply because I like that name.

Also, I believe that my new characters are completely opposed to Lisbeth and Mikael.

I adored them, but sometimes I found them too sure of themselves, stable and arrogant.

Hans and Micaela are fragile, broken beings.

Wasn't it difficult to break away from the extraordinary Lisbeth to create her own character?

And more generally, wasn't it too difficult to have to leave the Millenium atmosphere?

I loved the Millenium series and loved being part of it, but I couldn't go on forever.

Three books was enough.

All this time, I dreamed of a universe of my own, with characters that looked more like me.

I am incredibly happy and proud to have written these three books and in doing so paved the way for another sequel.

That said, I feel liberated now that I am alone.

Do you already know in how many volumes your readers will be able to follow the adventures of Micaela and Hans?

Is it a trilogy that is planned or more?

Yes, I know there will be five books in the series about Micaela Vargas and Hans Rekke.

Maybe I'll write something else in the meantime?

A non-fiction or a literary novel?

I believe in literary interaction.

Switching between different genres helps me write.

Their favorite quote:

Why this book?

• Because if you are a fan of Nordic black literature,

  this book should please you.

  It is above all a novel of atmosphere, as the authors coming from the North know how to indulge in it well.

  But not only.

• Because the author, David Lagercrantz had the brilliant idea

  of ​​implementing characters freely inspired by Holmes and Watson in the investigator Micaela Vargas, an ambitious and obstinate police officer who will have to join forces with Hans Rekke, a talented but tormented to find the person responsible for the death of Jamal Kabir, an Afghan refugee.

• Because a particularly attractive element in this investigation

  is the fact that the author added real facts: like, the existence of secret American prisons for individuals accused of terrorism after September 11 scattered around the world.

  Although I love to immerse myself in thrillers or thrillers that are fiction, I like the fact of finding proven circumstances and that the author mixes reality with his novel.

• Because even if football and war are not

  your favorite subjects, the author will succeed in arousing your interest, in particular thanks to the character of Hans Rekke.

  Music is at the heart of this plot, it's even incredible to have succeeded in building this musical bridge between football and its supporters and the war.

  Basically, no matter the battle, it's always a story of revenge and victory.

  Anyone with a passion for history or espionage will be totally in their element with this read.

The essentials in 2 minutes

The plot.

Jamal Kabir is found dead after a match.

If a suspect is quickly arrested, his guilt seems unclear to Micaela, a young policewoman.

Quickly ousted from the investigation, she approaches the eminent Professor Hans Rekke with fine psychology to conduct a parallel investigation.

Characters.

Jamal Kabir, the football referee victim, Giuseppe Costa the suspect, Hans Rekke teacher and lecturer.

The team of investigators: commissioner Fransson, divisional officer Martin Falkegren, police officers Micaela Vargas, Lasse Sandberg and Jonas Beijer.

Lucas the brother of Micaela, Viktor Malikov

Places.

Stockholm and its wealthy suburbs and its underprivileged districts, its metro, its night bars, its football stadium and its police station.

A transit in the past in Kabul in 1997.

The time.

The novel begins in July 2003 and ends in May 2004.

The author.

Swedish author born in 1962, he is also a journalist.

Married and father of three children.

He studied philosophy and religion at university and graduated from the Gothenburg School of Journalism.

He is chosen to take over the continuation of the

series .

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