The Friend - by Joakim Zander (Paperback)

About the Book

"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"--

Book Synopsis

Joakim Zander delivers another "compelling, timely, and character-centered thriller" (Booklist) in this riveting story of international espionage.

November 2015. Jacob Seger arrives in Lebanon eager to make the most of his internship at the Swedish embassy in Beirut. But when he meets the handsome and mysterious Yassim at a glamorous party his first night in the city, he is swept up into a passionate, obsessive affair that renders everything else in his life insignificant. When terrorist claims against Yassim are brought to light, Jacob must confront his role in a complicated game he is wholly unprepared to play. Unsure who to believe or trust, he knows only that he must flee Beirut--and fast.

Meanwhile in Sweden 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, however, 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.

Following Gabi's trail, Klara comes face-to-face with Jacob, as well as with George Loow, a suave lobbyist from her past to whom she finds herself inexorably drawn. 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.

From the Back Cover

November 2015. Jacob Seger arrives in Lebanon eager to make the most of his internship at the Swedish embassy in Beirut. But when he meets the handsome and mysterious Yassim at a glamorous party his first night in the city, he is swept up into a passionate, obsessive affair that renders everything else in his life insignificant. When terrorist claims against Yassim are brought to light, Jacob must confront his role in a complicated game he is wholly unprepared to play. Unsure whom to believe or trust, he knows only that he must flee Beirut--and fast.

Meanwhile in Sweden Klara Walldéen 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, however, 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.

Following Gabi's trail, Klara comes face-to-face with Jacob, as well as with George Lööw, a suave lobbyist from her past to whom she finds herself inexorably drawn. 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.

Review Quotes

"Thought-provoking.... Thriller fans who enjoy flawed, achingly human characters won't be able to put this one down." -- Publishers Weekly

Praise for the work of Joakim Zander: "Zander has written another compelling, timely, and character-centered thriller, and many readers will look forward to what he does next." -- Booklist, starred review on The Believer

"A tense, taut, gut-ripping thriller that is also beautifully written, smart, and sophisticated." -- Alafair Burke, author of The Wife on The Believer

"Page-turning.... This Swedish former lawyer's hypnotic first book is already drawing comparisons to the work of famed spy novelist John le Carré." -- Entertainment Weekly on The Swimmer

"An interesting gambit.... [Zander is] a smart, fluid observer." -- New York Times Book Review on The Swimmer

"How can The Swimmer be a first novel? It is dazzling not only in its plotting and character portraits, but in the sophistication of its structure, which keeps us breathless and guessing. An impressive and memorable work, comparable to the best of John le Carré." -- Joseph Finder, author of Suspicion on The Swimmer

"Impressively complex characters and stark atmospherics make this a thematically profound read." -- Publishers Weekly on The Believer