The second in this Swedish police procedural series Sandhamm Murders sets the action at a yachting race sponsored by a high-class yatch club. When a prominent lawyer is murdered at the exact start of the race, the question is as much how as why. Another murder with the same weapon raises the stakes and confuses the possible motives.

The author is a little too dedicated to descriptive details, which slows the book down, but the police work is interesting, the characters distinct. The murderer was a bit obvious. ( )

Como cada mes de Julio, la famosa regata del archipiélago de Estocolmo está a punto de comenzar. Hay especial expectación ante quién será el ganador en esta edición. El nuevo yate de lujo del rico abogado y miembro del prestigioso Real Club de Vela, Oscar Julander, es el que cuenta con las mejores posibilidades. De repente, esta embarcación amaina la marcha y su capitán cae abatido de un disparo ante la estupefacta mirada de la multitud. Lo que a primera vista parece un desafortunado accidente, pronto se revela como el resultado de un juego sucio. El detective Thomas Andreasson se alía nuevamente con Nora Linde, abogada local y amiga, para investigar el suceso.

This is the second of the Sandham murder series set on the Sandham islands off the coast of Sweden.

It’s the height of summer tourist season. As expensive racing yachts jockey for the best position at the race’s start, suddenly the captain of one of the most expensive yachts falls to the deck of his yacht just as the starters ‘pistol sounds. It’s murder, of course, but who would want to kill the Chairman of the Royal Swedish Yacht Club?

Once again policeman Thomas Andreasson and his partner, Margit take on the investigation, while Thomas’s longtime friend Nora, sleuths in some rather fishy financial records.

Many good twists and turns.

I am disappointed that Nora is still enduring her poor marriage, but I know that the end of a marriage is not as easy as one might imagine.

I was surprised that there is a plot summary of the entire first novel with all its spoilers within the first few chapters. As this second novel is a continuation of the characters’ personal dramas, I suppose it had to be done. But you won’t want to read this one if you plan on reading the first in the series. ( )

The assassination of a prominent yacht club member at a prominent event finds Thomas and Margit leading the investigation. Thomas asks his friend and banking attorney Nora, of Sandhamn, to help interpret some financial matters. Nora, who recently inherited an estate, finds herself at odds with her husband regarding its disposal. Her husband's depiction reminds me of a former boyfriend who can't cut the umbilical cord attaching himself to his mother. I didn't have this one figured out, possibly because my reading continues to be distracted because of present COVID-19 concerns. I did not think this installment worked quite as well as the first for me; however, I plan to continue reading it. ( )

The second Sandhamn Murder Series novel is set about a year after the first. Once again Sandhamn is heaving with people on their summer holidays, and the Royal Swedish Yacht Club is holding one of their largest and most popular events. Suddenly, just as the starting gun sounds for the race, a prominent yacht club member is shot and killed. Police officers Thomas Andreassen and Margit Grankvist are assigned to the investigation.

As part of the investigation, Thomas asks his childhood friend Nora Linde to advise on some financial matters related to the case. Nora is struggling with her own issues, namely conflict with her husband Henrik on how to handle some inherited property. In the previous book, Nora gave up a job opportunity in another town for the sake of Henrik’s career, and resents him taking control of the property decision. This subplot further develops Nora’s character, and it’s clear she will continue to be part of this series as it moves forward.

The mystery itself was a little more complicated than in the first book, and Viveca Sten uses a classic misdirect to keep readers from solving the crime too soon. I admit I figured out where the author was going, but not how all the pieces fit together, so this was still a satisfying read. ( )