BLACK BUTTERFLY (Svart fjäril)

Örebro is plagued by a series of fires. As if it was a reality TV show with some ostentatious artist in the lead role, all of Sweden follows the dramatic events from their TV’s. It’s obvious that the arsonist is trying to say something. Look at me! I exist!

When a woman is found murdered at a rest area in Kronviken, Detective Inspector Maria Wern becomes involved in the investigation. The woman’s body is severely burned, her clothes are in shreds and the blue synthetic cap has melted over her face. Who is she? And is there a connection with the pyromaniac’s deed?

Anna Jansson’s mysteries often ask pressing questions about the present day and the world we live in. Can a child’s make-believe world become such an important place of refuge that it can’t be escaped as an adult? Does society have a plan for dealing with the children who are forced to live with parents who are drug addicts or mentally ill?

288 pages

Rights

Denmark: People’s
Finland: Gummerus
Gemany: BookBeat
Iceland: StorySide
Israel: StorySide
Italy: StorySide
Norway: Cappelen Damm
Poland: BookBeat
Spain: StorySide
Sweden: Norstedts
UK/US: StorySide (WER)

Film rights

Warner Brothes Nordic (Eyeworks), Sweden

REVIEWS

“Anna Jansson writes powerfully and the excitement lasts right up to the final page.”
Vecko-Revyn / SWE

“The psychological insight is spot on … Well written, thought evoking, clear-sighted and beautifully told.”
Kristianstadsbladet / SWE

“The clues are woven together in a complicated pattern and they are wonderfully complemented by character descriptions that don’t hide behind illusions and yet are empathetic and contain a touch of discreet humor in what I believe is Anna Jansson’s best mystery so far.”
Jury

“Anna Jansson tells her story with elegance and at a fast pace. She obviously enjoys writing. There is no question that Black Butterfly is her best to date.”
Eskilstuna-Kuriren / SWE

“Black Butterfly is beyond a doubt Anna Jansson’s most cleverly constructed novel.”
Nerikes Allehanda / SWE

“In a wonderful way, the author succeeds in bringing visibility to issues that are relevant to our age.”
Värmlands Folkblad / SWE

“…a warm, humanistic chord resounds at the core of Anna Jansson’s books. They contain the will to discuss social issues together with the ability to push aside simplistic explanations… I can imagine that, as a night nurse, she had plenty of opportunity to contemplate life’s important issues, and now she expresses her conclusions – most often between the lines.”
Östgöta Corren / SWE

“Anna Jansson keeps you on the edge of your sea … The suspense is unbearable.”
Smålänningen / SWE